All death sentences in the UAE automatically go to appeal. If Karteen Karikender s sentence is upheld on appeal, the case is likely to be referred to the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi and then to President Shiekh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan for ratification. The time frame involved is not yet known. Amnesty International is calling on the United Arab Emirates to commute Karteen Karikender s sentence if it is upheld on appeal. Since 1997, the United Arab Emirates has executed nine people, including one woman.
Executions are usually by firing squad.
In response to this case, Amnesty International members are sending telegrams, faxes and letters in support of Karteen Karikender to representatives of the UAE government. There are Urgent Action Networks in 78 countries where there are established Amnesty International organizations. In the United States, thousands of individual AI members, student groups, community chapters and other organizations make up its Urgent Action Network.