SALE: A Moroccan court has sentenced a fourth local man to death for the Islamic State-linked murder of two Scandinavian university students hiking in the Atlas Mountains.
In an appeals hearing, the court also confirmed death sentences for terrorism and murder it had previously imposed on another three Moroccans over the young women's brutal slaying.
All four defendants had claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The ruling late Wednesday toughened the initial life sentence imposed in July on 33-year-old plumber Khaiali Abderahman, condemning him to death.
Maren Ueland, 28, of Norway, and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, of Denmark were knifed to death in their tent last December, and the murderers posted video of the slayings online.
Morocco only rarely carries out death sentences. Its last execution was in 1993.
Morocco: 4th death sentence over killing of Nordic hikers
Morocco: 4th death sentence over killing of Nordic hikers
UAE president meets Trump envoy, discusses regional stability
- Sides stress need to maintain peace in region
LONDON: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Thursday met the senior adviser to US President Donald Trump for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, in Abu Dhabi.
The two sides discussed the growing strategic relations between their countries as well as a number of regional issues and developments, the Emirates News Agency reported.
They emphasized the need to enhance efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, adviser to the UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al-Nahyan and Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al-Nahyan were also present.
