Court date set for former UI student who fled the country after being accused of attempted murder and robbery

Lang
9/5/24

A court date has been set for a former University of Iowa student who fled the country after being accused of attempted murder and robbery.

21-year-old Ali Younes voluntarily returned to the United States last week after negotiations between the U.S. Embassy in Jordan and University of Iowa Police. He was booked into the Johnson County Jail just before 4:45 Monday afternoon.

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. Younes was later arrested and 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.

Court records now show that on Tuesday, Judge Jason Burns set a case management conference for Friday, September 13th.

Earlier this week Judge Liz Dupuich ordered Younes’ parents to forfeit over $11,000 from their bank account because it was used to help their son escape the country. The money came from selling their SUV.