Authorities: Iowa City Attempted Murder Suspect Has Fled Country

Eastern Iowa law enforcement has been searching for a man who was awaiting trial on an attempted murder charge. They now say he has left the U.S. Here's what they believe happened.

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19-year-old Ali Younes of Iowa City was arrested in late April of 2022 and was charged with attempted murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree theft after police say he robbed and strangled someone. Following the incident, he was banned from the University of Iowa campus.

During a contested bond hearing, Younes' $350,000 bond was reduced and he was released by the court on a number of conditions including that he must wear a GPS monitor, surrender his passport, and stay with family in O'Brien County while he awaited trial.

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Johnson County Sheriff's Office all announced they were searching for Younes, who had cut off his ankle monitor.

Tuesday afternoon, May 9, authorities confirmed that Younes had fled the U.S. on Saturday, May 6. According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Younes "used Jordanian travel documents to board a Royal Jordanian Airlines flight, departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport." He had been scheduled to go to trial in Johnson County District Court a week from today, on Tuesday, May 16.

Both of Younes’ parents, Alfred and Lima, have been arrested. Alfred was arrested while attempting to board a flight in Omaha, Nebraska. His final destination was to be Amman, Jordan. Alfred Younes is awaiting extradition to Johnson County.

Ali Younes’ mother, Lima Younes, was arrested on a University of Iowa Police Department warrant earlier today in Sioux County. She will be returned to Johnson County.

Both of the elder Younes' have been charged with Aiding and Abetting the Escape of a Custody Felon, a Class D felony.

Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith said in a statement, “My office, along with the University of Iowa Police Department and local and federal law enforcement partners, is committed to ensuring that Younes does not escape justice. We will do everything we can to hold him accountable, as well as those who assisted him in fleeing the country.”

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