I'billin: Man suspected of murdering his sister

Woman, 21, dies after falling off second floor of her house. Police say brother stabbed her following argument she had with his wife

Hassan Shaalan|Published: 03.11.13 , 09:37

Alaa Shami, a 21-year-old woman from the village of I'billin who police suspect was stabbed by her brother, died of her wounds at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa on Monday.

Shami was stabbed in her thigh and fell off the second floor in her house on Sunday. She was rushed to hospital by medics but doctors were unable to save her.

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Police arrested her brother, 22, on suspicion he stabbed her, and questioned the victim's parents who initially refused to cooperate with the investigation. The father later admitted that his son had murdered his daughter.

Superintendent Moshe Weizman of the Northern District Police said the background to the murder was a family dispute which began in an argument between Shami and the suspect's wife.

"When the suspect got home, he got involved in the argument and eventually pulled out a knife and stabbed his sister," Weizman said.

Dozens of residents from I'billin gathered at the scene and condemned the act. "We don’t know this family so well but we nevertheless condemn the murder and all acts of violence," one resident said.

A female lawyer from the village said, "Just a few days ago we marked International Womens Day and discussed the murder of Arab women and the steps that need to be taken to eradicate this phenomenon. Sadly, we've just learned of another case that ended with the murder of a young woman killed over nothing."

She further added, "In many families women are treated with disrespect and are assaulted without a second thought. We will continue to fight against anyone who tries to hurt us."