Topline: A father and mother received sentences for convictions in the assault of their teenage daughter near a bus stop at her school.
Published: August 20, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Left, Ihsan Ali, and at right, Zahraa Ali, in court in Olympia, WA (KOMO NEWS)
LACEY, WA — Two Washington parents were sentenced Monday for the brutal assault of their 17-year-old daughter outside her school in October 2024.
The father, Ihsan Ali, was sentenced to about 20 months in jail for assault and unlawful imprisonment, while the mother, Zahraa Ali, received a sentence for violating a court order.
According to Fox13 Seattle, Judge Christine Schaller sentenced Ihsan Ali to the maximum penalties for each of his charges, including 14 months for second-degree assault, 12 months for unlawful imprisonment, and 364 days for fourth-degree assault with 182 days suspended.
He must also complete a domestic violence evaluation, take a parenting class, and abide by a ten-year no-contact order with the victim. A 24-month no-contact order was also issued for the victim’s boyfriend, who was assaulted during the incident.
Zahraa Ali was sentenced to 364 days for violating a court order, with 83 days suspended for 24 months. She is also to have no contact with the victim’s boyfriend for 24 months. The mother had previously been banned from Timberline High School, and a protection order was in place for the boyfriend due to an earlier incident.
The two parents had been accused of attempted murder, but a jury found both not guilty after three days of deliberation.
The father, Ihsan Ali, was found guilty of assault and unlawful imprisonment. The mother, Zahraa Ali, was found guilty only of violating a court order.
Witnesses reported seeing Ihsan Ali trying to strangle his daughter to the point she became unconscious and had a seizure as several students tried to intervene. Eventually, adult bystanders were able to pry the teenage victim from her father’s grasp, according to the original report by KOMO News.
During the sentencing hearing Monday, the victim read an emotional statement detailing how she lived in a home of abuse. “You think I’m a disgusting human being, well I think you’re a disgusting monster,” she said.
The victim addressed her father directly, asking, “How can you call yourself a father, you tried to kill me, my dad tried to kill me with his own hands, do you have no love for me?” She added, “I know you were smiling when you choked me. I’m going to pray for you to stay in jail and die.”
The victim told her mother that she was a bad parent who didn’t help her as the assault happened. Zahraa Ali cried as her daughter read her statement in court.
A victim advocate also read a statement from the victim’s boyfriend, who was punched during the assault. The boyfriend’s statement described how the incident left a lasting impact on him, causing depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Speaking with KOMO News outside of court, the anonymous victim said, “I wouldn’t say I’m glad that it happened, but I’m glad that I’m away from the situation. I’m glad I’m here. I’m still alive. I’m doing things that I’m moving on, but it’s hard to really let go from this family.”
Judge Schaller told Ihsan Ali he had no remorse for his actions and never acted in self-defense. “You were not going to let her go, and you were not going to let her breathe because nobody else was going to control the situation, you were going to maintain control,” the judge said.
Schaller also added that children are not property for a parent to do with as they desire.
The judge also addressed the victims in court, telling the Alis’ daughter, “Always know despite what has happened, you get to define who you are. You have power, and you have strength, and no one can take that away from you.”
The initial investigation indicated that Ihsan Ali may have threatened his daughter with an “honor killing” for refusing to go to Iraq for an arranged marriage to an older man.
However, prosecutors wrote in court documents, “There is no express evidence that such was the motivation of either defendant in this case.”
After the sentencing, Ihsan Ali was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Washington Parents Learn Fate After Assault on Teenage Daughter
A father and mother received sentences for convictions in the assault of their teenage daughter near a bus stop at her school.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 20, 2025 8:30 am ET
Left, Ihsan Ali, and at right, Zahraa Ali, in court in Olympia, WA (KOMO NEWS)
LACEY, WA — Two Washington parents were sentenced Monday for the brutal assault of their 17-year-old daughter outside her school in October 2024.
The father, Ihsan Ali, was sentenced to about 20 months in jail for assault and unlawful imprisonment, while the mother, Zahraa Ali, received a sentence for violating a court order.
According to Fox13 Seattle, Judge Christine Schaller sentenced Ihsan Ali to the maximum penalties for each of his charges, including 14 months for second-degree assault, 12 months for unlawful imprisonment, and 364 days for fourth-degree assault with 182 days suspended.
He must also complete a domestic violence evaluation, take a parenting class, and abide by a ten-year no-contact order with the victim. A 24-month no-contact order was also issued for the victim’s boyfriend, who was assaulted during the incident.
Zahraa Ali was sentenced to 364 days for violating a court order, with 83 days suspended for 24 months. She is also to have no contact with the victim’s boyfriend for 24 months. The mother had previously been banned from Timberline High School, and a protection order was in place for the boyfriend due to an earlier incident.
The two parents had been accused of attempted murder, but a jury found both not guilty after three days of deliberation.
The father, Ihsan Ali, was found guilty of assault and unlawful imprisonment. The mother, Zahraa Ali, was found guilty only of violating a court order.
Witnesses reported seeing Ihsan Ali trying to strangle his daughter to the point she became unconscious and had a seizure as several students tried to intervene. Eventually, adult bystanders were able to pry the teenage victim from her father’s grasp, according to the original report by KOMO News.
During the sentencing hearing Monday, the victim read an emotional statement detailing how she lived in a home of abuse. “You think I’m a disgusting human being, well I think you’re a disgusting monster,” she said.
The victim addressed her father directly, asking, “How can you call yourself a father, you tried to kill me, my dad tried to kill me with his own hands, do you have no love for me?” She added, “I know you were smiling when you choked me. I’m going to pray for you to stay in jail and die.”
The victim told her mother that she was a bad parent who didn’t help her as the assault happened. Zahraa Ali cried as her daughter read her statement in court.
A victim advocate also read a statement from the victim’s boyfriend, who was punched during the assault. The boyfriend’s statement described how the incident left a lasting impact on him, causing depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Speaking with KOMO News outside of court, the anonymous victim said, “I wouldn’t say I’m glad that it happened, but I’m glad that I’m away from the situation. I’m glad I’m here. I’m still alive. I’m doing things that I’m moving on, but it’s hard to really let go from this family.”
Judge Schaller told Ihsan Ali he had no remorse for his actions and never acted in self-defense. “You were not going to let her go, and you were not going to let her breathe because nobody else was going to control the situation, you were going to maintain control,” the judge said.
Schaller also added that children are not property for a parent to do with as they desire.
The judge also addressed the victims in court, telling the Alis’ daughter, “Always know despite what has happened, you get to define who you are. You have power, and you have strength, and no one can take that away from you.”
The initial investigation indicated that Ihsan Ali may have threatened his daughter with an “honor killing” for refusing to go to Iraq for an arranged marriage to an older man.
However, prosecutors wrote in court documents, “There is no express evidence that such was the motivation of either defendant in this case.”
After the sentencing, Ihsan Ali was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Washington Parents Learn Fate After Assault on Teenage Daughter
A father and mother received sentences for convictions in the assault of their teenage daughter near a bus stop at her school.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 20, 2025 8:30 am ET
Left, Ihsan Ali, and at right, Zahraa Ali, in court in Olympia, WA (KOMO NEWS)
LACEY, WA — Two Washington parents were sentenced Monday for the brutal assault of their 17-year-old daughter outside her school in October 2024.
The father, Ihsan Ali, was sentenced to about 20 months in jail for assault and unlawful imprisonment, while the mother, Zahraa Ali, received a sentence for violating a court order.
According to Fox13 Seattle, Judge Christine Schaller sentenced Ihsan Ali to the maximum penalties for each of his charges, including 14 months for second-degree assault, 12 months for unlawful imprisonment, and 364 days for fourth-degree assault with 182 days suspended.
He must also complete a domestic violence evaluation, take a parenting class, and abide by a ten-year no-contact order with the victim. A 24-month no-contact order was also issued for the victim’s boyfriend, who was assaulted during the incident.
Zahraa Ali was sentenced to 364 days for violating a court order, with 83 days suspended for 24 months. She is also to have no contact with the victim’s boyfriend for 24 months. The mother had previously been banned from Timberline High School, and a protection order was in place for the boyfriend due to an earlier incident.
The two parents had been accused of attempted murder, but a jury found both not guilty after three days of deliberation.
The father, Ihsan Ali, was found guilty of assault and unlawful imprisonment. The mother, Zahraa Ali, was found guilty only of violating a court order.
Witnesses reported seeing Ihsan Ali trying to strangle his daughter to the point she became unconscious and had a seizure as several students tried to intervene. Eventually, adult bystanders were able to pry the teenage victim from her father’s grasp, according to the original report by KOMO News.
During the sentencing hearing Monday, the victim read an emotional statement detailing how she lived in a home of abuse. “You think I’m a disgusting human being, well I think you’re a disgusting monster,” she said.
The victim addressed her father directly, asking, “How can you call yourself a father, you tried to kill me, my dad tried to kill me with his own hands, do you have no love for me?” She added, “I know you were smiling when you choked me. I’m going to pray for you to stay in jail and die.”
The victim told her mother that she was a bad parent who didn’t help her as the assault happened. Zahraa Ali cried as her daughter read her statement in court.
A victim advocate also read a statement from the victim’s boyfriend, who was punched during the assault. The boyfriend’s statement described how the incident left a lasting impact on him, causing depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Speaking with KOMO News outside of court, the anonymous victim said, “I wouldn’t say I’m glad that it happened, but I’m glad that I’m away from the situation. I’m glad I’m here. I’m still alive. I’m doing things that I’m moving on, but it’s hard to really let go from this family.”
Judge Schaller told Ihsan Ali he had no remorse for his actions and never acted in self-defense. “You were not going to let her go, and you were not going to let her breathe because nobody else was going to control the situation, you were going to maintain control,” the judge said.
Schaller also added that children are not property for a parent to do with as they desire.
The judge also addressed the victims in court, telling the Alis’ daughter, “Always know despite what has happened, you get to define who you are. You have power, and you have strength, and no one can take that away from you.”
The initial investigation indicated that Ihsan Ali may have threatened his daughter with an “honor killing” for refusing to go to Iraq for an arranged marriage to an older man.
However, prosecutors wrote in court documents, “There is no express evidence that such was the motivation of either defendant in this case.”
After the sentencing, Ihsan Ali was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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