Prosecutors in the Netherlands are seeking lengthy prison sentences for a Syrian father and his two sons accused of murdering 18-year-old Ryan Al Najjar over her perceived “Western” lifestyle.
Dutch prosecutors announced on Friday that a father and his two sons, members of a “strict” Muslim family, could face up to 25 years in prison for the alleged drowning of 18-year-old Ryan Al Najjar. Authorities claim the family believed her behavior was bringing shame upon them, leading to the tragic incident.
Ryan Al Najjar’s body was discovered submerged in a lake near Joure in northern Netherlands on May 28, 2024, six days after she went missing. Her hands and feet were reportedly bound tightly, prompting an investigation that resulted in the arrest of her father, Khaled, and her two brothers, aged 22 and 24. Prosecutors indicated that the murder likely occurred on May 22.
The Public Prosecution Service stated, “They saw Ryan as a burden that had to be removed, just because she was a young woman who wanted to live her own life.” The family allegedly targeted Al Najjar after she refused to wear a headscarf in public and exhibited behaviors deemed too “Western” by her relatives.
Prosecutors highlighted a specific incident that may have triggered the family’s violent response: a live TikTok video featuring Ryan without a headscarf and wearing makeup. The video reportedly caused significant embarrassment to the family, as it conflicted with their traditional values.
Once the suspects became aware of the video, they began searching for Ryan. According to the Public Prosecution Service, her brothers convinced her to accompany them to a remote location the night before her murder. This led to her being taken to Knardijk, where their father joined them, and where she was ultimately killed.
Local media outlet NL Times identified the brothers as Mohamed Al Najjar and Muhanad. All three family members have been charged with murder, while Khaled is accused of orchestrating the crime and is believed to have fled to Syria shortly after the incident.
Investigators revealed that Ryan was taken to a secluded park where her cries for help would not be heard. Evidence indicated signs of both strangulation and drowning, with approximately 60 feet of tape used to bind her before she was thrown into the water alive. Prosecutors noted that Khaled’s DNA was found under Ryan’s fingernails, suggesting he was present during the attack.
The Public Prosecution Service described Khaled’s actions as “cowardly,” stating, “[Khaled] fled to Syria immediately after the murder and left his sons to take the blame. Khaled has completely destroyed his family.”
Dutch authorities have expressed concerns about the potential difficulties in extraditing Khaled, as he has reportedly married a woman in Syria since Ryan’s death. The prosecution has recommended a 25-year prison sentence for Khaled and 20 years for each of his sons. A court ruling is expected on January 5, 2025.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Public Prosecution Service for further details regarding the case.
Source: Original article