Gulf News, Dubai, 28 February 2000

Four-year jail for man who battered his wife to death

FUJAIRAH -- A man has been sentenced to four years imprisonment and 70 lashes for battering his wife to death with a rock while under the influence of alcohol.

The murder took place in Fujairah in November 1998. Judges of the Fujairah Sharia Criminal Court recently sentenced Zaka Dibas Kolo Kassi, a 41-year-old Cypriot, who worked as an engineer for a rock-crushing plant near Al Dhaid.

He has been in jail ever since his arrest and has served 15 months. He has another two years and nine months to go after which he will be deported.

Police stumbled upon the murder during a patrol. They saw bloodstains leading off the highway between Fujairah and Al Dhaid. The trail led them to Kassi, who admitted killing his wife, but claimed that the murder was not pre-meditated and happened during an emotional outburst when he was drunk.

Kassi was charged with premeditated murder. Kassi, who confessed to the crime on his arrest, said the killing was not pre-planned.