A man has been handed a 30-year prison sentence for the murder of his own daughter. Ryan al Najjar was discovered bound and gagged, face down in a pond in a secluded country park shortly after her 18th birthday. Her father, Khaled al Najjar, took her life, alleging she was veering towards a “too westernized” lifestyle, influenced by her brothers Muhanad, 25, and Muhamad, 24.
Ryan’s parents had sought asylum in the Netherlands from war-torn Syria, but tragically, Ryan was brutally killed due to her modernized way of living, which clashed with her father’s beliefs. Her body was found enveloped in 18 meters of duct tape in shallow water at a nearby nature reserve. Evidence revealed Khaled’s DNA under her fingernails and on the tape, indicating she was alive when thrown into the water. In a disturbing message to his family, Khaled expressed regret for not burying her.
During the trial, it was disclosed that the brothers had driven Ryan to the isolated spot and left her with their father, leading to the judges ruling them responsible for her death. Mobile phone data and algae on their shoes linked them to the crime scene. Khaled, who fled back to Syria post the murder, was sentenced to 30 years in absentia, while Ryan’s brothers were convicted for aiding in the murder and received 20-year sentences.
Despite appearing well-integrated in the country, the family harbored internal conflicts over Ryan’s attire and behavior, as per her mother’s account. She highlighted her husband’s abusive nature, narrating instances of violence towards the family. Ryan’s rebellion began at 15, seeking acceptance by altering her appearance and socializing, which displeased her father.
Family members described Khaled as an oppressive and unjust figure, fostering fear within the household. He imposed his will without question, creating a tense atmosphere. Ryan’s sister, Iman, recalled their father’s harsh treatment, leading to Ryan’s defiance and eventual tragic fate.