Iowa murder suspect who fled to Jordan returns to the US

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KGAN) — The man, who fled to Jordan before his trial for attempted murder in May 2023, is now back in the United States.

The University of Iowa Police Department said Ali Younes arrived in Chicago on Tuesday and is awaiting extradition.

A university spokesman said that after Younes arrived in Jordan, university police established and maintained an open channel of communication with him and, with the help of the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, persuaded him to return voluntarily.

Younes was scheduled to go on trial on May 16, 2023, on robbery and attempted murder charges for allegedly strangling a woman on the UI campus and then stealing her earrings because he thought she was dead.

Prosecutors said he later cut his ankle bracelet and fled the country through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, traveling to Jordan.

His parents, Alfred and Lima Younes, were both sentenced to five years in prison for aiding and abetting the escape, but were released on parole in early June.

“The successful return of Mr. Younes demonstrates our commitment to working with our international partners to ensure justice for the victim in this case,” said Johnson County District Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith.

“I want to thank Det. Ian Mallory and our entire investigative team for their tireless commitment to assisting crime victims and their refusal to give up on this case,” said UI Police Chief Lucy Wiederholt. “Their tireless work underscores their commitment to making our community a safer place.”

Younes is also charged with escape as a serious criminal.

Court dates will be set after his return to Iowa.