(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The security list asks American citizens to avoid large crowds or gatherings of unknown origin when travelling in public among a number of other points.
The US Embassy in the country has reissued a list of personal security guidance to all its citizens in the country following the murder of an American school teacher in a public restroom in a shopping mall on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi on December 1.
The security list asks American citizens to avoid large crowds or gatherings of unknown origin when travelling in public among a number of other points.
In a message posted on its website on Wednesday the embassy said that it was working with all appropriate authorities to seek further information but said no information was available on the nature of the crime.
On Monday afternoon the 37-year-old American woman was stabbed to death inside the washroom of the shopping mall and was rushed to the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City Hospital in a critical condition where she succumbed to her injuries. The police have launched a manhunt to arrest the accused whose gender has not been determined yet.
In a statement issued on Tuesday Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammed Burasheed Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Abu Dhabi Police said the deceased was a divorcee school teacher who is survived by her twin children aged 11.
The children are currently being looked after by the Community Police. Her former husband has been informed about the murder and the two children will be handed over to him as soon as he arrives in the country said the police.
In October the embassy had issued a similar warning to the US citizens saying that an anonymous posting on a jihadist website encouraged attacks against teachers at American and other international schools in the Middle East. “The mission is unaware of any specific credible threat against any American or other school or individual in the UAE. Nonetheless the mission is working with local schools identified with the US to review their security posture. US citizens residing in or visiting the UAE should remain vigilant regarding their personal security and be alert to local security developments” it had said.
In its latest post the embassy said: “While there is no information available at this time about the nature of this crime we use this opportunity to remind US citizens of the following standing security guidance.”
Avoid large crowds or gatherings of unknown origin or circumstances when travelling in public;
Know where you are going and have a plan of what to do in the event you encounter demonstrations or violence;
Identify safe areas (for example police stations hospitals) in your area and how to get to them quickly;
Tell co-workers or neighbours where you’re going and when you intend to return;
Minimise your profile while in public;
Always carry a cell phone and make sure you have emergency numbers pre-programmed into your phone such as the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi (02-414-2200) and US Consulate General in Dubai (04-309-4000). The emergency number for the Abu Dhabi Police Fire and Rescue is 999;
Be prepared to postpone or cancel activities for personal safety concerns; and
Report concerns you may have to the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the US Consulate General in Dubai.
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