Washington State v. Ihsan and Zahraa Ali attempted honor killing trial

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 25
SUMMARY

The trial of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, accused of the attempted murder of their daughter Fatima, is ongoing in Washington State with jury deliberations in their third day as of April 25, 2026. The prosecution alleges Zahraa Ali also participated in restricting Fatima's breathing during the incident at her high school, and video evidence captured Ihsan being detained. This current trial follows a previous conviction in August 2025 where Ihsan Ali was sentenced to 20 months in prison for second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment, while Zahraa Ali received 364 days in jail for violating a no-contact order. Fatima Ali previously testified about losing consciousness during the choking incident and called her father a "disgusting monster" during his sentencing hearing.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 1 developments

  1. The trial of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, accused of the attempted murder of their daughter Fatima, is ongoing with jury deliberations in their third day.

    The trial of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, accused of the attempted murder of their daughter Fatima, is ongoing with jury deliberations in their third day. The prosecution claims Zahraa Ali also participated in restricting Fatima's breathing during the incident at her high school. Video evidence captured Ihsan being detained.

March 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Parents Ihsan and Zahraa Ali are on trial for the attempted murder of their daughter, with the alleged incident occurring on October 18, 2024.

    Parents Ihsan and Zahraa Ali are on trial for the attempted murder of their daughter, with the alleged incident occurring on October 18, 2024. Court documents reveal Ihsan Ali had previously threatened his daughter with an 'honor killing.' The daughter testified about losing consciousness and experiencing dizziness and numbness during the choking incident at her high school.

August 2025 — 4 developments

  1. Ihsan Ali was sentenced to a 20-month prison term and 1 year 8 months of supervised release, along w…

    Ihsan Ali was sentenced to a 20-month prison term and 1 year 8 months of supervised release, along with 10-year no-contact orders with Fatima and Isaiah, and was immediately taken into custody. This corrects previous reports of a 14-month sentence.

  2. During the sentencing hearing, Fatima Ali delivered a victim impact statement, calling her father a 'disgusting monster' and stating he tried to kill her.

    During the sentencing hearing, Fatima Ali delivered a victim impact statement, calling her father a 'disgusting monster' and stating he tried to kill her.

  3. Ihsan Ali was sentenced to 14 months in prison for second-degree assault and 12 months for unlawful …

    Ihsan Ali was sentenced to 14 months in prison for second-degree assault and 12 months for unlawful imprisonment (to run concurrently), along with 18 months of community service and a 10-year no-contact order with his daughter. Zahraa Ali was sentenced to 364 days in jail with 83 days suspended for violating a no-contact order, but was not taken back into custody as she had already served 9 months.

  4. The jury's verdict was announced: Ihsan Ali was acquitted of attempted second-degree murder but foun…

    The jury's verdict was announced: Ihsan Ali was acquitted of attempted second-degree murder but found guilty of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and fourth-degree misdemeanor assault. Zahraa Ali was acquitted of attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and second-degree burglary, but found guilty of violating a protection order. Zahraa Ali was subsequently released from custody due to time served.

July 2025 — 8 developments

  1. The trial for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, accused of the attempted murder of their daughter Fatima Ali, concluded with a verdict on July 31, 2025.

    The trial for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, accused of the attempted murder of their daughter Fatima Ali, concluded with a verdict on July 31, 2025. Testimony included forensic nurse examiner Senovia Rivas detailing Fatima's symptoms and otolaryngologist Dr. Sung-Won Kim discussing scan results. The prosecution argued the parents attempted to choke their daughter after she fled to avoid a trip to Iraq, while the defense noted the boyfriend punched the father first. The jury deliberated for over 14 hours before reaching their decision.

  2. After three days and over 19 hours of deliberation, the jury reached a mixed verdict for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali.

    After three days and over 19 hours of deliberation, the jury reached a mixed verdict for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali.

  3. Closing arguments were presented by the prosecution and defense teams in the trial.

    Closing arguments were presented by the prosecution and defense teams in the trial.

  4. During the trial, a pediatrician testified about Fatima's injuries, including air trapped outside he…

    During the trial, a pediatrician testified about Fatima's injuries, including air trapped outside her trachea, and a mental health specialist testified about not being obligated to notify parents of runaway youth.

  5. Ihsan Ali, 44, and Zahraa Ali, 40, are facing charges including second-degree attempted murder and a…

    Ihsan Ali, 44, and Zahraa Ali, 40, are facing charges including second-degree attempted murder and attempted kidnapping in Thurston County, Washington, stemming from an alleged incident on October 18, 2024. Court documents suggest the incident may have been an attempted 'honor killing.' During the trial, forensic nurse examiner Senovia Rivas testified about the victim's injuries, and the defense called emergency physician Dr. Jennifer Stankus. The judge ruled that terms like 'honor killing' would be excluded to avoid cultural bias.

  6. During the trial of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, a forensic nurse examiner testified that the victim, Fatim…

    During the trial of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, a forensic nurse examiner testified that the victim, Fatima, reported being grabbed by her sweatshirt and placed in a headlock by her father, Ihsan, causing her to lose consciousness. Fatima also stated that her mother, Zahraa, grabbed her neck during the incident. The prosecution presented this as evidence in the attempted honor killing case.

  7. The trial for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, accused of an attempted honor killing of their daughter, proceeded through multiple days of testimony and arguments.

    The trial for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali, accused of an attempted honor killing of their daughter, proceeded through multiple days of testimony and arguments. Proceedings included testimony from forensic nurses, family nurse practitioners, law enforcement officers, an eyewitness, and the victim herself. Closing arguments were presented, and jury instructions were given before the verdict watch.

  8. The jury trial for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali began in Thurston County Superior Court.

    The jury trial for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali began in Thurston County Superior Court.

November 2024 — 1 developments

October 2024 — 2 developments

  2. Ihsan Ali assaulted his 17-year-old daughter, Fatima, at a bus stop near Timberline High School, pla…

    Ihsan Ali assaulted his 17-year-old daughter, Fatima, at a bus stop near Timberline High School, placing her in a chokehold, while Zahraa Ali was also present and followed the teens. The incident was captured on surveillance video and by bystanders, leading to a school lockdown.

September 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Zahraa Ali was issued a no-trespass letter for Timberline High School following a prior incident involving her daughter's boyfriend.

    Zahraa Ali was issued a no-trespass letter for Timberline High School following a prior incident involving her daughter's boyfriend.