Emiratis shot in Prague attack have surgery to remove bullets

An Emirati couple who were shot by a gunman in Prague have undergone major surgery for their injuries.

Ahmed Al Ali and his wife Rowdah Al Mehrezi were on a winter holiday in the Czech capital with their two daughters when they were injured in the mass shooting on Thursday.

Khalifa Al Mehrezi, a government official and Ms Al Mahrezi’s brother, told Abu Dhabi TV that both suffered serious injuries in the shooting at Charles University.

Mr Al Ali has undergone two operations for gunshot wounds, removing bullets from his shoulder and collarbone, he said.

Ms Al Mehrezi was struck in the chest, close to her heart, he said, and surgeons removed a bullet successfully.

The couple were with their two children, Maryam, 10, and Latifa, eight, who were not injured.

They were walking around the university, one of Europe’s oldest, when a gunman opened fire, killing 14 people and wounding about 25 more.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, phoned the couple this weekend to check on their condition.

Speaking to Ms Al Mahrezi, Sheikh Hamdan said: “Now we need you to recover fully and return to your country.”

On Saturday, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked the Czech Republic for their treatment of the couple.

He condemned the attack and wished the others who were injured a quick recovery.

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, also called Mr Al Ali on Friday to offer support.

The 24-year-old gunman, widely identified as David Kozak, was a student with no criminal record and no known links to international terrorists or extreme ideologies. His motive for the shooting was unclear.

Police said the gunman was “eliminated” on Thursday. Kozak was said to have an arsenal of weapons including long-barrel rifles and shotguns.

Police are looking into unverified claims that he ran a social media account inspired by a Russian mass shooter.