Three Relatives Sentenced for Murder of Pregnant Aya Abu Hajaj in Lod
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Three relatives of Aya Abu Hajaj were sentenced to 15 to 22 years in prison for her murder in Lod in 2023. The court ordered compensation for her two children, who witnessed the attack. The murder occurred after Abu Hajaj refused to return to her father's home. Prosecutors highlighted the family's testimony in securing the convictions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Three relatives received prison sentences of 15 to 22 years for the 2023 murder of Aya Abu Hajaj in Lod.
- The victim was heavily pregnant and killed in front of her two young children.
- The convicted include her paternal half-brother, cousin, and father.
- The court ordered over 300,000 shekels in compensation to Abu Hajaj's children.
- The motive was reportedly Abu Hajaj's refusal to return to her father's household.
- The prosecution praised the testimony of Abu Hajaj's mother and sisters.
The Central Court in Lod on Thursday sentenced three relatives of Aya Abu Hajaj to lengthy prison terms for her murder in 2023. Abu Hajaj was heavily pregnant and had two young children when she was killed in the city of Lod.
Her paternal half-brother, who was 14 at the time of the crime, received a 22-year sentence after being convicted of murder under aggravated circumstances and other offenses. Her cousin, who was 15 at the time, was sentenced to 17 years for the same charges. The court also sentenced Abu Hajaj's father to 15 years for aiding in the murder and other crimes.
In addition to their prison sentences, the three convicted relatives were ordered to pay over 300,000 shekels in compensation to Abu Hajaj's two children. The prosecution stated the motive for the murder was Abu Hajaj's refusal to return to live with her father and his family in Hura, after she and her sisters supported their mother in leaving him.
According to the indictment, the two minors, disguised and armed with a knife, waited for Abu Hajaj near her home. The following morning, as she was taking her four and five-year-old children to kindergarten, her half-brother attacked her, stabbing her approximately 20 times in front of them. She and her unborn child died from the wounds.
Prosecutors described the case as a "brutal murder" and noted the bravery of Abu Hajaj's mother and sisters in testifying despite fears. They expressed hope that the verdict would bring some solace to the family as they begin to heal. A lawyer representing the family stated that the conclusion of the criminal proceedings allows the family to focus on caring for Abu Hajaj's children, who are facing immense pain and hardship after losing their mother and sibling.
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