Dutch Prosecutors Seek 25-Year Sentences for Father and Sons in Teen’s Death Over Lifestyle Dispute

Joure, Netherlands — December 1, 2025 — Dutch prosecutors have requested prison sentences of up to 25 years for a Syrian father and his two sons accused of killing their 18-year-old relative, Ryan Al Najjar, over disagreements about her lifestyle and refusal to wear a headscarf.

Authorities said the young woman’s body was discovered submerged in a lake near Joure in the northern Netherlands on May 28, 2024, six days after she went missing. Her hands and feet were tightly bound, and evidence indicated she was strangled and drowned. DNA from the father was found under her fingernails, suggesting his presence during the killing.

The Public Prosecution Service described the family as “strict” Muslims who viewed Ryan’s behavior as “too Western” and a source of shame. Prosecutors said the immediate trigger for the violence was a live TikTok video showing Ryan without a headscarf and wearing makeup, which the family found deeply embarrassing.

Following the video’s circulation, the father and sons reportedly sought out Ryan. The brothers, identified by local media as Mohamed and Muhanad Al Najjar, convinced her to meet at a remote location in Knardijk, where their father, Khaled Al Najjar, joined them. It was there that the killing allegedly took place.

Officials charged all three men with murder. Prosecutors indicated that Khaled Al Najjar may have fled to Syria after the incident. The case highlights tensions within some families over cultural and religious expectations, particularly regarding women’s dress and behavior.

The investigation revealed that Ryan was taken to a secluded park where no one nearby could hear her cries for help. Approximately 60 feet of tape was used to bind her before she was drowned, according to authorities.

The Public Prosecution Service stated, “They saw Ryan as a burden that had to be removed, just because she was a young woman who wanted to live her own life.”

The case remains under judicial review as the accused await trial.