Two brothers accused of murdering their teenage sister in a so-called honour killing have pointed the finger at their runaway father, describing him as a 'terror to his family'. The body of 18-year-old Ryan Al Najjar was discovered in a swamp in Lelystad, the Netherlands, in May 2024.
A Death Rooted in 'Shame'
The court heard that Ryan's death was motivated by her family's belief that she had brought them shame by adopting Western behaviours. This allegedly included mixing with boys, refusing to wear a headscarf, and her activity on social media. The situation reportedly culminated in a live TikTok video where she appeared without a headscarf and wearing makeup, which prosecutors say embarrassed her traditional family as it fell outside their strict views.
Ryan disappeared on 22 May 2024. Her body was found six days later on 28 May by a passerby, gagged, with her hands bound and ankles taped together. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has formally classified her murder as honour-based violence.
The Brothers' Defence and a Father on the Run
Brothers Mohamed Al Najjar, 23, and Muhanad Al Najjar, 25, are on trial for her murder. Their father, Khaled Al Najjar, will be tried in absentia after fleeing to Syria, where he is believed to be living and has reportedly remarried.
The brothers deny killing Ryan, claiming their father acted alone. DNA belonging to Khaled was found under Ryan's fingernails, though prosecutors state it is unclear if he acted alone or with his sons. Johan Mühren, lawyer for Muhanad, told the court the father was 'a grumpy, angry, and authoritarian man who tolerated no dissent' and was 'a terror to his family'.
Mühren argued it was 'incredibly unjust' that the brothers face potential long sentences while the 'main perpetrator is still at large'. He insisted his client would 'never have ended up in the dock without the role played by his father'.
Conflicting Narratives of the Fatal Night
Prosecutors present a different story. They allege Khaled enlisted his sons to pick Ryan up, drive her to a remote location, and dispose of her body. They claim the brothers knew she would be killed. Chat messages and evidence indicate all three were present at the scene.
During the journey, Khaled is said to have issued brutal orders to find a deep lake, 'ditch Ryan,' and weigh her down. However, the defence claims the brothers ignored these instructions and had no intention of harming their sister. Mühren stated Muhanad picked Ryan up 'to take her home' and told her to apologise to their father.
Khaled allegedly sent emails to a Dutch newspaper confessing to the murder and exonerating his sons, but prosecutors dispute this. The defence for Mohamed, led by attorney Ersen Albayrak, suggested there was no premeditated plan and that Khaled acted impulsively after 'losing his composure' during a conversation with Ryan.
The prosecution is seeking 20-year sentences for each brother and a 25-year sentence for Khaled. They argue that while Khaled was the driving force, 'without his sons, Ryan would not have been there at all.' The court will deliver its verdict on 5 January.
