The Ras Al Khaimah triple murder verdict has brought a major development in one of the UAE’s most shocking criminal cases, with the Ras Al Khaimah Criminal Court sentencing a Gulf national to death by qisas after convicting him of intentionally killing a 66-year-old woman and her two daughters. The ruling, issued on July 8, also included convictions for attempted murder and issuing death threats. However, under UAE law, the sentence remains subject to appeal before it becomes final.
Court Hands Down Death Sentence
The Criminal Court found the defendant guilty of the intentional murder of three women and the attempted murder of another victim following a violent incident that took place in May 2025.
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The court ruled that the accused should face the death penalty by qisas, the Islamic legal principle that allows equal retribution in murder cases, subject to the completion of all legal procedures.
The judgment was delivered in the presence of the defendant and also covered additional charges of issuing death threats connected to the same incident.
Defendant’s Son Also Convicted
The court also sentenced the defendant’s son for his role in the case.
According to the judgment, he received six months in prison on one charge and an additional three months on another. He was also fined Dh10,000 and ordered to pay a court fee of Dh100.
Court records showed that the son was convicted of attempted murder and threatening to kill another member of the victims’ family during the incident.
In addition, the court ordered the confiscation of evidence, including a vehicle registered in Ras Al Khaimah that was linked to the crime.
Dispute Escalated Into Deadly Violence
The fatal attack occurred on May 7, 2025, in a residential neighbourhood in Ras Al Khaimah.
Authorities said the violence was reportedly triggered by a dispute over a blocked driveway that quickly escalated.
The victims were identified as a 66-year-old mother and her daughters, aged 36 and 38. Another daughter, aged 47, survived after suffering injuries during the attack.
Following a detailed investigation, prosecutors charged the main defendant with intentional murder, attempted murder and issuing death threats.
Evidence presented before the court alleged that the accused used both his vehicle and a firearm during the attack.
Investigators also discovered that the weapon used in the killings had allegedly been purchased illegally and smuggled into the UAE through a neighbouring country. Officials confirmed that the firearm was not licensed.
Mental Health Assessment Ordered
During earlier court hearings, the defence argued that the accused suffered from psychological and mental health issues.
Lawyers requested that the court order a specialist evaluation to determine his mental condition.
The court subsequently directed authorities to carry out a comprehensive psychological and psychiatric assessment before allowing the trial to proceed.
After reviewing all evidence and expert findings, the court ultimately convicted the defendant on all major charges.
Victims’ Family Welcomes Verdict
The family of the victims welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a step toward justice after months of grief.
Maher Salem Wafai, son of the deceased woman and brother of the two slain sisters, said the family had remained confident that justice would prevail.
He said nothing could erase the pain of losing his mother and sisters but added that the verdict brought a sense of closure to the family.
According to Wafai, his surviving sister, who was injured in the attack, became emotional after learning about the court’s decision.
He said she broke down in tears when informed of the verdict over the phone after enduring months of trauma following the incident.
Family Recalls Horrific Attack
Wafai previously described the terrifying sequence of events that unfolded on the day of the attack.
He said his mother and four sisters were inside the family home when the argument turned deadly.
According to his account, one of his sisters was first struck by the accused’s vehicle before being shot. Another sister was shot while trying to help her, while their mother and another sister were also killed as they attempted to escape.
An 11-year-old boy, the son of one of the victims, reportedly witnessed the attack but managed to flee after the suspect allegedly attempted to shoot him.
The tragedy left several children without their mothers. Wafai noted that one of his sisters had six children, with the eldest only 15 years old, adding that the incident permanently changed their lives.
Verdict Can Still Be Appealed
The triple murder case shocked communities across the UAE and drew widespread public attention due to the brutality of the attack.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the victims’ family consistently sought the maximum punishment available under UAE law.
Their legal representative argued before the court that the seriousness of the offences warranted the death penalty, a request that was ultimately granted in the court’s ruling.
The case was first heard by the Ras Al Khaimah Criminal Court in a closed session in August 2025.
Despite the latest judgment, the legal process is not yet complete. Under UAE law, the ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days, and the death sentence will only become final after all judicial procedures have been exhausted.
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