A man convicted of murdering his own 18-year-old daughter in an ‘honour killing’ has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. However, Khaled al Najjar, the perpetrator, is currently a fugitive in Syria and remains at large. His two sons, Mohamed and Muhanad, received 20-year sentences each for their involvement in their sister’s death.
The court revealed that the victim, Ryan, was found bound and gagged with 18 meters of duct tape before being drowned in a shallow pool in a national park near Amsterdam. Traces of their father’s DNA were discovered on the duct tape and under Ryan’s fingernails, suggesting she was still alive when she was thrown into the water.
Following the murder, Khaled fled to Syria, where he remarried. Despite his confession in a newspaper, prosecutors rejected his claims and argued that both brothers played a role in leading Ryan to her death.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Ryan’s murder stemmed from her rejection of the strict Islamic values imposed by her family. The prosecution described her as a burden that needed to be eliminated, with the incident possibly triggered by a TikTok video showing Ryan without a headscarf and wearing makeup.
Prosecutors painted a grim picture of Ryan’s final moments, highlighting the fear she must have experienced in the isolated location. Ryan had previously reported threats and assaults from her father and brothers to the police, further adding to the tragic circumstances.
While the brothers denied direct involvement in the killing, evidence suggested they participated in covering up the crime by deleting incriminating evidence. Only one of the brothers attended the sentencing, with the other opting to remain in custody instead.
In response to the verdict, Muhanad expressed his intent to clear his name, with his lawyer planning to appeal the decision based on lack of direct evidence connecting him to the murder. Given the absence of an extradition treaty between Syria and the Netherlands, it is uncertain whether Khaled will ever serve his sentence, as his return to the country seems unlikely.