publish time

11/01/2024

author name Arab Times

publish time

11/01/2024

Rowdah Al Mehrizi (right) and her husband Ahmed Ibrahim Al Ali.

Dubai, Jan 11: The Emirati pair, wounded in the tragic Prague mass shooting last December, are now in stable condition following several surgeries, as confirmed by the injured woman's brother to Khaleej Times on Wednesday.

Since bullet fragments are still embedded in their bodies, Rowdah Al Mehrizi and her spouse, Ahmed Ibrahim Al Ali, will be relocated to Munich, Germany, for additional medical care. Currently, they are recovering in a Czech hospital, where Roudha's sister and Ahmed's parents are providing support during their recuperation.

Dr. Khalifa Al Mehrizi.

Rowdah, the Director of Marketing and Corporate Communication at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, and Ahmed, the Director-General of the Umm Al Quwain Municipality, were on vacation in Prague with their children when the incident occurred on December 21 last year.

Dr. Khalifa Al Mehrizi, Rowda's brother, provided details: "As the couple was returning to their hotel at around 4:30 pm, near Charles University square, they heard a series of random gunshots. A shooter suddenly appeared on the university balcony, firing indiscriminately. Tragically, Roudha was struck in the chest, while her husband sustained injuries from the two bullets that hit him."

Deadly assault

The tragic assault resulted in the demise of 14 individuals and left 25 others injured, including Rowdah and Ahmed. The assailant, identified as 24-year-old David Kozak, was a student at the same university and had no prior criminal record, though he was reported to possess an arsenal of weapons. Authorities did not disclose the motive behind the crime, stating that it marked the Czech Republic's most severe mass shooting in history.

The incident occurred in Jan Palach Square, a prominent tourist area in Prague's Old Town, situated across the river with a picturesque view of Prague Castle, drawing thousands of visitors.

Dr. Al Mehrizi, a family relations expert and consultant, previously shared a video on Instagram illustrating the size of the bullets used in the attack. He also posted a video showcasing candles placed by people at the scene in remembrance of the 14 individuals who lost their lives and the 25 others who sustained injuries.