Father of Murdered Yemeni Girl Grants Forgiveness to Killer at Execution Site

In a dramatic turn of events, Ibrahim al-Bakri, the father of slain child Haneen al-Bakri, granted forgiveness to her killer, Hussein Harhara, just moments before his execution was to be carried out in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen.

The execution was scheduled for Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM, with a large crowd gathered outside Mansoura Prison awaiting the execution. Harhara was brought to the execution site, but as the execution was about to begin, al-Bakri announced his forgiveness, sparking joy and relief among the onlookers. This was captured in a video shared by journalist Abdulrahman Anis and viewed by Barran Press.

Al-Bakri had been under immense pressure from tribal leaders and the public to forgive Harhara, particularly after Harhara's daughters camped by Haneen's grave, pleading for mercy.

The Aden Public Prosecution had set August 1st as the execution date for Harhara, who was convicted of killing Haneen al-Bakri. A document from the Aden Court of Appeals, viewed by Bran Press, confirmed the completion of legal procedures for the execution of Harhara, who was found guilty in case number (50 J.J/2023 Mansoura Primary Prosecution) and sentenced to death by retaliation.

The tragic incident occurred on June 27, 2023, on the eve of Eid al-Adha, when Harhara shot and killed Haneen. The incident stemmed from a dispute between Harhara and Haneen's father, Ibrahim al-Bakri, over a car accident. Haneen's sister, Rawaa, was also injured in the attack, which sent shockwaves through the Yemeni public.