A Washington State court has sentenced 44-year-old Ihsan Ali to almost three years in prison after he viciously assaulted his teenage daughter in what prosecutors initially described as an attempted “honor killing.”

The attack happened on October 18, 2024, outside Timberline High School in Lacey, when Ihsan tried to strangle his daughter, Fatima Ali, now 18, after she refused her parents’ demands for an arranged marriage.

Although Ihsan and his wife, Zahraa Subhi Mohsin Ali (40), were originally charged with attempted murder, a jury found them not guilty of that charge. However, Ihsan was convicted of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and fourth-degree assault.

Judge Christine Schaller sentenced him to:

14 months for assault

12 months for unlawful imprisonment

182 days for fourth-degree assault

He must also complete a parenting class, serve 18 months of community service, and have no contact with Fatima for 10 years.

In court, Fatima bravely delivered an emotional victim impact statement, calling her father a “monster” who nearly killed her. Witnesses recalled the horrifying moment when Ihsan put her in a chokehold, leaving her face pale, lips purple, and eyes rolling back. Several students, her boyfriend Isiah, and a passerby had to fight Ihsan off to save her life.

Shockingly, multiple witnesses also testified that Zahraa, Fatima’s mother, tried to grab her daughter by the throat after she broke free. Zahraa was later sentenced for breaching a restraining order, but had already served the time in pretrial detention.

The case drew wide attention because prosecutors initially alleged the attack was tied to “honor killing” traditions. However, by the time of trial, they dropped that claim, saying there was no direct evidence of such motivation.

Fatima is now in extended foster care and, as an adult, cannot be forced to return to her parents.

Judge Schaller condemned Ihsan’s “horrific actions,” saying, “He victimized a defenseless young woman who should have been safe in his care.”

This case highlights both the dangers of family-based violence and the courage of young survivors like Fatima who refuse to remain silent.