WAM DUBAI: Dubai Public Prosecutor Essam Al Humaidan on Monday said the Public Prosecution is seeking death penalty for Hamad Saud Juma Al-Shirawi, 29, and his girlfriend Al-Anoud Mohammed Al-Ameri, 27, for confirmed charges of torturing to death Shirawi's own daughter Wadeema, 8, and torturing her sister Meera, 7, for whole six months in Hamad's house in Dubai.

Among the charges slapped at the suspects are the illegal imprisonment of the two sisters under threat and physical and mental torture for six months in a studio apartment (before 31 May 2011) leading to the death of Wadeema and physical and psychological trauma to her sister Meera, as well as burying Wadeema's body in a remote desert location, Humaidan told reporters in a press briefing.

The case was shocking to just everyone in the UAE and sparked a public outcry, he commented as he cited the findings of forensic reports, corroborating evidence and sordid details of the crime.

Cigarettes, an iron, boiling water, electric shocks, clubs, deprivation of food for long hours, locking up in a wardrobe were among the techniques used by Hamad and his girlfriend Al-Anoud to torture his two sisters.

The prime suspect Hamad was using Tramadol, a narcotic drug but it is difficult to decide whether or not he was under the effect of this drug as he tortured his two daughters.

Although she is just 7years old, Meera's statements to police during investigations into the case helped uncover the horrific crime, Humaidan noted.

WAM/MMYS