Amran, Yemen – A Yemeni court of appeals on Sunday sentenced a former air force pilot to death for the murder of a Jewish man, court sources said.
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The court in the north-western province of Amran convicted Abdul- Aziz al-Abdi, a 40-year-old retired Yemeni Air Force pilot, of premeditated murder.
Al-Abdi has confessed to shooting dead Moshe al-Nahari, a member of the Jewish minority in the north-western town of Raida last December.
In March, a first instance court in Amran convicted al-Abdi of the murder, but said he was “mentally unstable” when he committed the crime. The court also ordered him to pay 27,000-dollars in so-called blood money.
The crime triggered anger among members of Yemen’s Jewish community, estimated at around 400 people.
Representing the victim’s family, Khaled al-Anesi called the verdict “a scandal”.
Masha al-Nahari, the father of nine, was shot dead after al-Abdi called on him to convert to Islam, indicating the murder was a premeditated act. The assailant confessed to the murder and that a month prior to the shooting, he warned Raida’s Jewish community to convert or leave Yemen. Otherwise they would face death, Al-Abdi threatened.
Masha al-Nahari was a 35-year-old teacher and religious leader in the Jewish community of Raida in Amran. He was murdered on Dec. 11, 2008 in a market in the city of Raida- Sna’a in broad day light. Abdul-Aziz Al-Abdi confessed to the murder. Al-Abdi is a retired air force pilot with a master’s degree in electrical aviation machinery.
Today an armed tribal group ranging 20-25 was surrounding the court building after the announcement of the Amran Appellate court’s ruling.
HOOD has received a call from its lawyers, Masha’s defence team before court proceedings, asserting that “they are seized inside the court with some of other journalists and Masha’s family members by an armed tribesmen belong to the convicted al-Abdi.
What is 27,000 dollars gona do is that a joke??????
Its 20 times the average salary that’s like $1.2 mil. In the US
Wow, your comments support the stereotype that all jews think about is money. Is that the only thing that is relevant in this story?
This is a big advance in the battle against hatred of Jewish People. I am very sad that this man was killed of course. Boruch Dayan Emes.
However, I am glad to hearthat the Yemeni court has done justice. This is encouraging.
Let me know when the execution actually takes place. I’m sure some court or some politician will find a way to commute this sentence. Can you ever see a Muslum executing another Muslum for killing a Jew?
Mark my words; he will not be put to death. Either the death sentence will be pardoned or there will be a planned escape with the ful knowledge of the government.