ABU DHABI 6 May 2019: The United Arab Emirates Public Prosecution has rubbished the baseless rumours and speculations on some social media accounts about the death on Saturday, 4th May 2019, of Alia Abdul Noor, a convict undergoing a prison term for aiding Al Qaeda in their internal communications and for promoting the terrorist organisation’s ideology.
Ahmed Abdullah Al Hammadi, official spokesperson for the UAE Public Prosecution, told Wam that Abdul Noor, who died at Tawam Specialty Hospital in Abu Dhabi, had been suffering from breast cancer years before her incarceration. “She received treatment for cancer in 2008, which was fully funded by the State at the time,” he explained.
Al Qaeda Ring
The spokesperson explained that Abdul Noor was arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution in 2015 on charges of abetting terrorism. “The principal charge against the deceased convict was that she had set up social media accounts in multiple names for the dissemination of encrypted messages among members of Al Qaeda,” he elaborated.
He pointed out that Abdul Noor had served as a conduit and facilitator in the terror organisation’s internal communications. “In addition to promoting the terror organisation’s ideology and actions, she also extended financial assistance to members of Al Qaeda. Besides, she shipped equipment and other material using cargo companies to members of the terror organisation residing in other countries,” he explained, adding that she also published seditious material aimed at instigating hatred against the UAE.
Sentenced in 2017
The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court convicted Abdul Noor on 5th February 2017 for ten years’ imprisonment, based on strong and irrefutable evidence. “During her incarceration, her cancer relapsed. The prison authorities shifted her to the jail hospital, but she refused treatment,” the spokesperson went on.
“On the basis of the recommendation of the UAE’s Public Prosecutor, Abdul Noor was shifted on 1st August 2017 to Al Mafraq Hospital in view of her need for specialised medical attention. She not only refused the world-class treatment prescribed for her by the doctors, but also went on hunger strikes on occasions,” the spokesperson revealed.
Cancer Patient
“In view of her deteriorating condition, the Public Prosecutor ordered her to be shifted to Tawam Hospital, where she received the same level of medical attention and treatment given to all citizens and residents in the country. In both the hospitals, her family and relatives were allowed to visit her and spend time with her without any restrictions whatsoever,” he pointed out.
“Her condition gradually worsened as she was in the terminal stages of breast cancer and the last medical bulletin on her health concluded that her condition had deteriorated to a point of no return. She passed away on Saturday, 4th May 2019,” the spokesperson concluded.
