A former University of Iowa student will serve 50 years in prison for an on-campus attempted murder and robbery.
Ali Younes, 22, was found guilty by a judge on Dec. 25, 2025, for attacking and strangling a woman near the Art Building West in Iowa City, concluding a deliberation process that took nearly four months.
The former UI student was sentenced to a pair of 25-year sentences on Monday, April 27.
“After four years, the victim and the community can rest easier knowing that the defendant willnot be able to hurt anyone else,” Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith said in a press release Monday.
Younes will serve a related five-year sentence for an escape from custody charge, cutting off his ankle monitor and fleeing to the country of Jordan.
Younes attacked a woman walking home from her job
Younes, a UI freshman living in Burge Residence Hall in 2022, was accused of attacking Anne Rizzo shortly after 10 p.m. on April 25, 2022, who was walking home from her job near Art Building West.
According to police and prosecutors, Younes passed Rizzo, turned back, and proceeded to tackle her to the ground from behind and strangled her until she lost consciousness.
Two students called 911 after spotting Rizzo and rendered aid, Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith wrote in closing arguments.
Upon his arrest, Younes allegedly admitted to police that he stole Rizzo’s earrings because he believed she was dead.
Prosecutors, defense dispute Younes’ intent
Younes’ defense argued that prosecutors had not proven any intent for Younes to try and kill Rizzo. The defense argued that unintended injuries from strangulation are “not only possible, but common,” suggesting that Younes wasn’t trying to kill Rizzo.
The only reason Younes did not kill Rizzo, prosecutors said in their closing arguments, was the presence of the two students who noticed Younes on top of Rizzo.
Younes guilty of fleeing the country
In May 2023, Younes was on house arrest while awaiting his trial for attempted murder. He cut off his ankle monitor, was driven to Chicago, and flew from O’Hare International Airport to Jordan.
His parents, Alfred and Lima, were arrested in connection with their involvement and convicted of aiding his escape. Alfred and Lima Younes were each sentenced to five years in prison.
Eventually, Younes was contacted by University of Iowa police, who convinced him to surrender to the U.S. Embassy in Jordan.
Younes was rebooked into the Johnson County Jail on Sept. 2, 2024, ending a nearly 18-month manhunt that included the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.
UIPD “established and maintained an open line of communication with Younes following his arrival in Jordan,” and the department took credit for facilitating his “voluntary return,” with help from the Jordanian embassy, according to a 2024 release.
Younes is ordered to serve at least 35 years of his sentence.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Former UI student will serve 50 years for attempted murder, robbery
Reporting by Press-Citizen Staff Report, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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