UAE woman gets death penalty for killing U.S. teacher

A United Arab Emirates court sentenced an Emirati woman to death on Monday after convicting her of the jihadist-inspired murder of an American teacher, Abu Dhabi newspaper The National reported.

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Alaa Bader al-Hashemi was found guilty of stabbing to death teacher Ibolya Ryan, 47, in a shopping mall toilet, as well as "creating a handmade bomb" she placed in front of an Egyptian-American doctor's home, the paper said.

The ruling was made by the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi, which means it cannot be appealed.

The attacks took place within hours of each other in the UAE capital on December 1. Hashemi was arrested by Abu Dhabi CID during a raid at her home three days after the incident.

Hashemi "was also found guilty of sending money to Al-Qaeda in Yemen, knowing the funds would be used in terrorist acts," The National said.

Hashemi, surrounded by four police officers, "showed no emotion as the verdict and sentence were announced," the daily said.

"As she was led from court she smiled and waved at her father and brother, who were in court to witness the proceedings."

International media have been denied access to her trial. which began in March.

Hashemi had asked the court to provide her with psychological help, saying she had "unreal visions" and would see "ghost-like people" due to a chronic mental illness.

The court ordered psychiatric tests which it said showed she was aware of her actions.