Ibrahim Alahmad, accused of kidnapping and murder, enters not guilty pleas in St. John's court

Ibrahim Alahmad (centre) is seen here with his defence lawyer, Jason Edwards, and an interpreter who was translating court proceedings from English into Arabic for Alahmad. Alahmad entered not guilty pleas on Monday to charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping. A trial is scheduled for May 2025. (Danny Arsenault/CBC - image credit)
Ibrahim Alahmad (centre) is seen here with his defence lawyer, Jason Edwards, and an interpreter who was translating court proceedings from English into Arabic for Alahmad. Alahmad entered not guilty pleas on Monday to charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping. A trial is scheduled for May 2025. (Danny Arsenault/CBC - image credit)

A St. John's man accused of kidnapping and murdering a woman in March has entered not guilty pleas, with a trial scheduled for next spring at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ibrahim Alahmad, 36, appeared before Chief Justice Raymond Whalen on Monday morning, wearing a white t-shirt featuring a caricature of a human skeleton carrying a rose on the front. His hands were free, but he was wearing leg restraints.

It was his Alahmad's first in-person appearance since he was arrested on March 5 and charged with the kidnapping and murder of a woman. In previous appearances at provincial court, Alahmad appeared via videoconferencing from either a hospital room or Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

The victim's name cannot be released because of a sweeping publication ban that also includes a long list of witnesses, including the woman's children.

Ibrahim Alahmad appeared in court in St. John's on Monday wearing a white t-shirt. On the front of the shirt was a caricature of a human skeleton, carrying a rose.
Ibrahim Alahmad appeared in court in St. John's on Monday wearing a white t-shirt. On the front of the shirt was a caricature of a human skeleton, carrying a rose.

Ibrahim Alahmad appeared in court in St. John's on Monday wearing a white t-shirt. On the front of the shirt was a caricature of a human skeleton, carrying a rose. (Danny Arsenault/CBC)

Crown prosecutor Kellie Cullihal and defence lawyer Jason Edwards were both agreeable to the publication ban.

Speaking through an Arabic interpreter, Alahmad calmly entered not guilty pleas to first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Jury selection will begin on May 5, 2025.

Ibrahim Alahmad, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering a St. John's woman in March, appeared at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday.
Ibrahim Alahmad, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering a St. John's woman in March, appeared at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday.

Ibrahim Alahmad, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering a St. John's woman in March, appeared at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday. (Danny Arsenault/CBC)

Alahmad, who remains in custody, glanced briefly over his shoulder into the public gallery as he was led away from the courtroom by sheriff's officers.

It's the latest step in a case that shocked the province, especially the city's growing Syrian community.

The woman's body was discovered on March 5 at an abandoned house in Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove. Alahmad was arrested later that day, and was hospitalized with undisclosed injuries.

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