UAE: Woman given death sentence over fatal stabbing of US teacher Ibolya Ryan

A court in the United Arab Emirates sentenced a local woman to the death penalty on 29 June over the murder of American teacher, Ibolya Ryan.

Ala'a al-Hashemi, 30, had stabbed to death Ryan, 47, in the capital Abu Dhabi's Reem Island shopping mall on 1 December 2014.

Al-Hashemi was found guilty of both the murder and "creating a handmade bomb".

The bomb was placed in front of an American Egyptian doctor's house in Abu Dhabi within hours of the murder.

Other charges, included, "sending money to Al-Qaeda in Yemen, knowing the funds would be used in terrorist acts," reported AFP News.

Police officials tracked down al-Hashemi who was dressed in black from head-to-toe during the attacks, within 48 hours at her house using CCTV footage.

According to The National newspaper, al-Hashemi, "showed no emotion as the verdict and sentence were announced.

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

Meanwhile, the judge who announced the verdict also ordered for, "the confiscation of all evidence and the shutting down of the online account Hashemi had used."

According to an Emirates News Agency (WAM) report, al-Hashemi had reportedly been listening to lectures by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab Al Zarqawi prior to the murder.

Despite, al-Hashemi's claims that she acted out of hallucinations and a mental disorder, medical examinations ordered by the Federal Supreme Court revealed she was in the right state of mind at the time of the attacks.

Ryan is survived by her ex-husband and three children.