After 16 yrs in jail for murder, man seeks release

dubai — A 60-year-old man requested the Court of First Instance on Monday to release him after spending 16 years in jail over murder and kidnapping charges.

The Uzbekistani received life sentence and deportation back in 2001 for choking a Russian woman to death and throwing her body from the seventh floor, after he failed to kidnap her.

Appearing before the court on a wheelchair, he told judges that he had health problems and that he wished to go home. He submitted a medical report to the judges.

According to court records, the court had previously rejected his release request last year after a prosecution note was submitted to the court with a rejection request.

Court records also showed that the convict was involved in a murder case in prison and another case of attempting to slip in “illegal substances” in jail. However, the court had ruled his innocence in the first case and dismissed the second for insufficient evidence.

“The accusations indicate that the accused wasn’t of good conduct in jail, which hints at criminal risk and completing his penalty will deter further violations until he improves his behaviour in jail,” read the rejection note. The convict had also presented the court with a medical report proving that he’s diagnosed with Hepatitis B-C and that he’s struggling with hypertension and Asthma.

Article 45 of Federal Law No. (43) of 1992 regulating Penal Institutions allows those sentenced to life imprisonment to submit a release request after spending 15 years in jail. The verdict on the request will be issued on January 22.

The Uzbekistani convict was arrested in 2001 when he arranged to kidnap a Russian prostitute who had fled from a Turkistani man.

The latter, who brought the woman on a visit visa in exchange of $3,000 and forced her to practise prostitution, ordered the convict to kidnap her and get her back for a payment of $300. The Russian woman had fled from her employer at the time after consistent mistreatment and exploitation.

The convict stormed into her apartment and tried to drag her by force but failed when she strongly resisted. He then made a call to her employer explaining the situation and the latter ordered him to bring her in any way even by force. Angered by her resistance, he choked her to death before throwing her body out of the apartment on the seventh floor in Al Rigga.