Dutch prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of up to 25 years for a Muslim father and his two sons, accused of drowning an 18-year-old female relative, believing her “Western” lifestyle was shaming their family.
The body of Ryan al-Najjar, a Syrian woman, was found in a lake near Gyur in the northern Netherlands on May 28, 2024—six days after her disappearance. Her hands and feet were bound, according to authorities. Her father and two brothers, aged 22 and 24 at the time, have been charged in connection with her murder, which prosecutors believe occurred on May 22.
The prosecutor’s office stated, “They saw Ryan as a burden that had to be removed. She was a young woman who wanted to live her life.”
It’s reported that her relatives, from a “strict” Muslim background, killed her due to their belief that her actions were too Western. Al-Najjar, in particular, was targeted for not wearing a headscarf publicly.
Prosecutors noted that the immediate trigger for her death was a live TikTok broadcast showing Ryan without a scarf and with makeup. The family found this video extremely troubling, as it contradicted their traditional values.
Once the family learned about the video, they began searching for her. Authorities indicated her brothers went to Rotterdam to convince her to come with them to a secluded spot the night before the murder. She was taken to Kunardijk, where her father joined them, and she was ultimately killed.
The brothers, named Mohammed and Muhanad al-Najjar, along with their 53-year-old father Khalid, face charges related to the murder, with prosecutors claiming Khalid orchestrated the act before possibly fleeing to Syria.
Investigators revealed that Ryan was taken to an isolated park, where, they assert, “no one could hear her cries for help.” Evidence showed signs of strangulation and drowning, with about 60 feet of tape used to bind her; her father’s DNA was also found under her fingernails, suggesting he was present during her murder.
After the killing, Khalid reportedly fled to Syria and blamed his sons. Prosecutors described his actions as “cowardly” and noted that he has significantly harmed his family.
Moreover, it may be challenging to extradite Khalid, as he has since married in Syria. The prosecutor’s office has recommended a 25-year sentence for the father and 20 years for each son. The court is expected to announce its decision on January 5.
