The trial for a Washington father and his wife accused of attempting to kill their 17-year-old daughter in October 2024 is set to begin on Monday. Ihsan Ali, 44, and his wife Zahraa Ali, 40, are facing charges of second-degree attempted murder, second-degree attempted kidnapping, first-degree attempted kidnapping, and second-degree domestic violence assault in Thurston County. Additionally, Ihsan Ali is charged with fourth-degree assault, while Zahraa Ali faces charges of violating a domestic violence protective order and second-degree burglary.
The incident, which took place on October 18, 2024, may have been a possible “honor killing” attempt, according to witness accounts detailed in court documents. The victim, their teenage daughter, reported that her father was trying to force her to go to another country, which led her to run away to Timberline High School in Lacey County seeking help. The parents followed her to the school, where the father allegedly attacked her at a bus stop, trying to drag her back home. The victim described being placed in a chokehold by her father and losing consciousness multiple times during the altercation.
Video footage of the attack obtained by The Daily Mail shows part of the violent encounter at the bus stop. Witnesses reported seeing the victim’s father choking her while her boyfriend, a 16-year-old, tried to intervene. The boyfriend’s mother later revealed that the victim had expressed fears of honor killing due to her refusal of an arranged marriage with an older man in another country.
During the scuffle, bystanders witnessed Ishan Ali putting the girl in a chokehold, prompting one individual to intervene and detain him until law enforcement arrived. The victim’s boyfriend believed she was in grave danger and feared for her life during the incident. The boyfriend’s father expressed concern over the lack of adult supervision and the need for more explanation regarding the adults’ actions leading up to the attack.
The victim’s parents had allegedly been harassing the boyfriend’s family, prompting them to file a restraining order against them. The boyfriend’s father emphasized the need for proper adult supervision and support for the victim, especially in light of the traumatic experience she endured. The trial is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the attempted murder and the possible motives behind the parents’ actions.
