Lang
8/28/24
A former University of Iowa student who fled the country after being accused of attempted murder and robbery is back in the United States to face charges.
UI Police issued a statement on Tuesday indicating 21-year-old Ali Younes has voluntarily returned to the U.S. after the UIPD and the U.S. Embassy in Jordan negotiated a voluntary surrender. Younes arrived in Chicago on Tuesday. He will be held pending a hearing on his extradition to Iowa, at which point bond conditions will be set, and a trial date will be determined.
Younes reportedly strangled a woman into unconsciousness outside Art Building West on the UI campus in April of 2022 and stole jewelry from her valued at $20,000. He was arrested at his girlfriend’s house and allegedly had the stolen jewelry with him. Younes was charged with Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Robbery and 1st Degree Theft. He fled to Jordan while awaiting trial, but his parents…who helped him escape from the U.S…were both arrested before they could join him. They have each since been sentenced to five-year prison terms on aiding and abetting charges.
Younes now faces an additional charge of Escape by a Felon, a Class D Felony. If convicted on all current charges against him, Younes faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.