Emiratis Injured In Prague Shooting, Sheikh Abdullah Condemns ‘Criminal Act’

On Thursday this week, a student opened fire on a university campus in Prague, killing 14 people and injuring 25 others in the Czech Republic’s most violent mass shooting. An Emirati couple also sustained injuries of undisclosed severities.

They have been named as husband and wife Ahmed Ibrahim Obaid Ali Al Ali – the director general of Umm Al Quwain municipality – and Rowdah Al Mehrizi – director of marketing and corporate communication at Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, on Friday made a phone call to Jan Lipavsky, the Czech Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to express his deepest condolences over the incident at Charles University, wishing for a speedy recovery of all injured.

UAE’s Solidarity With The Czech Republic

Sheikh Abdullah also praised the efforts of the Czech government in “providing the necessary care and support to the UAE nationals injured as a result of the incident,” according to state news agency WAM. He strongly condemned the “criminal act”.

In addition, the UAE minister affirmed the country’s solidarity with the Czech Republic, and its “permanent rejection of all forms of violence that aim to undermine security and stability of countries and the safety of their peoples.”

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, also made a phone call on the same day to the injured couple to check on their condition, expressing his heartfelt wishes for the Emiratis’ recovery and safe return home.

“There Is No Justification For This Horrendous Act”

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, has also offered Al Ali his support. He has been checking on the wellbeing of the couple’s children and wished them both well and called for a safe return to the UAE.

The suspect in the Prague shooting, a student at the faculty of arts at Charles University, was “eliminated” after officers reached the Jan Palach Square in the city’s famous Old Town. Officers evacuated the philosophy department building, where the shooting took place.

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Czech President Petr Pavel expressed shock over the violence, and Prime Minister Petr Fiala said “there is no justification for this horrendous act.” “There is no indication that is crime has any link to international terrorism,” said Interior Minister Vit Rakusan.