Arizona: Muslim immigrants plead guilty, beat daughter for violating Islam

Three family members who beat a teenage relative for talking with a man pleaded guilty Friday to lesser charges during an emotion-filled hearing. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joseph Kreamer accepted the change in pleas from Yusra Farhan; her husband, Mohammed Altameemi; and the couple’s daughter Tabarak Altameemi.

Mohammed Altameemi, 46, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct; Yusra Farhan, 51, pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence; and Tabarak Altameemi, 18, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault. Other charges were dropped stemming from the Feb. 6 incident at their home near 35th and Myrtle avenues in Phoenix.

The judge set a sentencing date of Nov. 6.

As part of the deal, the parents could receive supervised probation of up to three years and possibly a year in jail. The daughter could see a jail term of six months with probation, the judge said.

The three must agree to counseling and restitution. They also would be banned from all contact with the victim, who is now 20 years old, unless a probation officer allows it. (continue reading...)