Emirati woman is still critical: London police

dubai — An Emirati woman who was battered in an attack by a hammer-wielding assailant continues to battle for her life, police in London said on Monday. The woman and her two sisters suffered head and facial injuries when an intruder attacked them in their hotel room last Sunday. Metropolitan Police said the woman was not out of danger as was reported in some sections of the media.

Her condition is “still critical at this time”, said Asim Bashir, media officer of the Metropolitan Police. The other two victims are recover- ing from their injuries in hospital and their injuries are not lifethreatening. The sisters were on a shopping trip to London with their children, who escaped unhurt.

P.S., 32, the main suspect, is charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated burglary, while the other suspects are charged with possession of stolen goods with intent to sell them.

They have been remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

Police earlier said the first victim lost her left eye and a significant amount of blood. She has

only five per cent brain function, but her other organs are in good condition according to doctors.

A second sister suffered two fractures to her skull, a broken left arm and a fractured cheekbone and will require two surgeries, while the third sister suffered a ruptured left eardrum and a skull fracture. She was released from hospital but was readmitted after she complained of severe head pain.

Police officials from Abu Dhabi were sent to London to help in the investigation. The team also attended the summary trial of the suspects last Saturday.

“Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has dispatched a team from the Abu Dhabi Police, which provided psychological support to the victims, and ordered coordination with the British police in arresting the suspects and bringing them to justice as soon as possible,” UAE Ambassador to the UK, Abdul Rehman Ghanem Al Mutaiwei said.

Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered all assistance for the victims’ family in London and for the treatment of the sisters till the investigation into the case is over.