Dubai: An inmate, who is serving life imprisonment for killing a prostitute and throwing her body from the seventh floor of a building in 2001, is seeking an early release on medical grounds. The 61-year-old Uzbek inmate was jailed for life in 2002 after the Dubai Court of First Instance convicted him of trying to kidnap the Russian woman, asphyxiating her and throwing her body from the balcony of the seventh-storey flat of her friend in Al Muraqqabat in 2001.

“I have grown up old behind prison bars and developed several diseases such has hypertension and diabetes. Two months ago, I remained bedridden in hospital following a stroke that made me a paraplegic. I am seeking to be pardoned of what’s left of my life sentence after having spent nearly 17 years in Dubai Central Jail,” the wheelchair-bound Uzbek petitioner told the presiding judge in court.

Asked about the period he had spent in jail and whether he could provide the court with the required medical reports to confirm his illnesses and medical situation, the petitioner responded: “In less than two months, I would have completed 17 years exactly. I’ve already submitted the medical reports that I clubbed with my petition for an early release.”

The accused has been serving life sentence at Dubai Central Jail since his arrest on March 19, 2001, following the premeditated murder of the Russian sex worker.

Records showed a Turkmenistan national, who was 24 at the time, was charged with encouraging the murderer to kidnap the victim, and pocketing the Russian’s proceeds from working in prostitution.

A Ukrainian woman was also accused of abetment by allowing the petitioner into her flat where the incident happened at 9.30am.

The Uzbek petitioner based his petition on Article 1/45 of the Federal Law No. 43 of 1992, concerning regulating punitive and correctional establishments. The law stipulates that a convict who has completed 15 years out of a life sentence (25 years) is entitled to file a special petition to be released from jail.

This is the Uzbek’s second petition within a year following last year’s petition requesting an early release that the same court had rejected.

In a written statement addressed to the court, the 61-year-old said: “Unfortunately, the court dismissed my petition last year for being involved in a murder case that happened in prison. I have been acquitted of that crime. I am beseeching you your honour to have mercy on me and consider my medical condition and the fact that I’ve been behind bars for 17 years. I haven’t seen my eight children and grandchildren, with whom I would love to spend some time before I perish.”

The petitioner obtained a good behaviour certificate, according to court records, and a recommendation for his release (on grounds of excellent behaviour and repentance for his crime) was issued from the jail’s management.

He clubbed the certificate with his second petition that he lodged through the Dubai Public Prosecution in May this year.

In June 2002, the Dubai Cassation Court upheld the life sentence against the Uzbek for killing the Russian and a bid to kidnap her. Meanwhile, life sentence was also upheld against the Turkmen who had paid money to the Uzbek defendant to kidnap the victim, and confirmed his five-year imprisonment for pimping.

A police lieutenant said Dubai Police’s operations room was notified about a woman’s fall from a balcony.

Records said the Turkmen had flown the deceased to Dubai to work for him as a prostitute and the murder happened when she absconded and refused to continue working for him in the sex trade.

The court will decide on the convict’s petition on January 22.