Palestinian killed in Amazonas was on vacation and lived in Jordan
10 de February de 2025
By Ana Pastana – From Cenarium
MANAUS (AM) – A student of Computer Science at the University of Jordan in the Middle East, the young Palestinian Mohammad Ali Ismail Hamdan Manasrah, 20 years old, was on holiday with his family when he was murdered in Manaus (AM) in the early hours of Saturday, 8 February, in front of the Rox Club Lounge nightclub in the Nossa Senhora das Graças neighbourhood, in the Central-South Zone. The victim was due to return to the country the following Wednesday, 12 February.
The representative of the Arab Palestinian Society of Amazonas and a relative of the victim, Mamoun Imwas, informed CENARIUM that Mohammad was in Manaus visiting his father and brother. “He studied at the Jordanian university and lived in Jordan. He came to Manaus to visit his father and brother. His return ticket was booked for the following Wednesday,” he stated to the report.
Mamoun Imwas also stated that the young man was born in the Amazonian capital but had lived in Jordan since he was a child. “He was born in Manaus and moved to Jordan at a very young age. He rarely visited here. Mohammad had dual nationality, being both Palestinian and Brazilian,” he explained.
According to a statement issued by the Arab Palestinian Society of Amazonas, the altercation involving the young man and a suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, began within the establishment. The statement highlights that security personnel advised those involved in the dispute to leave the premises for safety reasons. However, before this request, the nightclub’s staff attempted to de-escalate the situation.
“After the argument began, for security reasons, representatives of the establishment advised the group to leave the premises. At this point, it is worth noting that both the victim and his friends, as well as the nightclub staff, attempted to mediate and de-escalate the situation. However, upon leaving the venue, the altercation resumed, at which point, unfortunately, Mohammad fell victim to a brutal act that resulted in his death,” the statement reads. (See the full statement at the end of the report.)
The young Mohammad, described as committed to his culture and the Palestinian cause, will have his body repatriated to Jordan. According to the Arab Palestinian Society of Amazonas, the family is awaiting the completion of procedures to conduct the funeral rites.
Additionally, according to Mamoun, the victim’s father, whose name has not been disclosed, “was paralysed” upon receiving the news of his son’s death. “The brother was present [at the party], and his father [Mohammad’s] was practically paralysed, unable to react. His situation was one of deep sorrow, unable to believe that his son had died,” he said.
The case
Mohammad Ali Ismail Hamdan Manasrah, 20 years old, with Brazilian and Palestinian nationality, was murdered outside the Rox Club Lounge nightclub in the Nossa Senhora das Graças neighbourhood, Central-South Zone of Manaus, after being attacked in the neck with blows from a broken glass bottle.
A video shows the moment when the student, wearing a white shirt, collapses in a pool of blood onto an unidentified man. Besides the young man assisting Mohammad, four other individuals are nearby, seemingly bewildered by the situation, while a woman in a white dress and another man in black clothing walk towards the victim. In the background, another man in a white shirt can be seen running. The footage was recorded by witnesses present at the scene at the time of the crime.
Mohammad was taken to the 28 de Agosto Emergency Hospital, where he received medical attention but succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene.
Clarification
In a statement, the nightclub reinforced that the altercation began within the premises but that the attack took place outside. Rox Club Lounge asserted that it is cooperating with the investigations.
“Contrary to what some media outlets have reported, the incident did not occur within our establishment. The event that led to the young man’s death happened after those involved had left our premises and became embroiled in a dispute on the street,” it stated. (See the full statement at the end of the report.)
According to the Forensic Medical Institute (IML), the cause of death was haemorrhagic shock, vascular injury, neck trauma, and a penetrating sharp force trauma.
In a statement, the Civil Police of Amazonas (PC-AM) informed CENARIUM that an Incident Report (BO) has been filed. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will not be disclosed to avoid compromising the case.
Full statement from the Arab Palestinian Society of Amazonas:
“The Arab Palestinian Society of Amazonas publicly expresses, with great sorrow, the tragic events that led to the death of the young Mohammad Ali Ismail Hamdan Manasrah, born on 23 August 2004 and deceased on 8 February 2025.
According to information provided by close friends who were with Mohammad at the time of the tragedy, the altercation began inside a nightclub in the Vieiralves district. Following the initiation of the dispute, for security reasons, representatives of the establishment advised the group to leave the premises. At this point, it is important to emphasise that both the victim and his friends, as well as the nightclub staff, attempted to mediate and de-escalate the situation. However, upon exiting the establishment, the altercation resumed, and, unfortunately, Mohammad became the victim of a brutal act that resulted in his death.
The Arab Palestinian Society of Amazonas, with great sadness, deeply laments the loss of this young man, who was always an example of kindness, generosity, and dedication to our community. Mohammad, just 20 years old, was a person committed to his culture and the Palestinian cause.
As a representative of the Arab Palestinian community in this state, the Society expresses its full confidence in the justice system and the competent authorities to rigorously investigate the facts and ensure the proper punishment of those responsible for this cowardly act. We reiterate our support to Mohammad’s family and friends during this irreparable moment of grief and continue to seek justice.
Our commitment to the truth and the memory of Mohammad remains steadfast; may he be remembered for his integrity and the values he always upheld.”
Full statement from Rox Club Lounge nightclub:
“Rox Club Lounge’s mission is to provide entertainment and enjoyment in a safe and respectful manner for all our customers. Under no circumstances do we condone or support any form of violence or similar acts.
Out of respect for the victim and his family, we express our deepest condolences and solidarity. We have already made ourselves available to cooperate with whatever is necessary during this difficult time.
Furthermore, we vehemently repudiate the distorted and sensationalist reports being circulated by various news portals, whose sole intention appears to be spreading misinformation and hatred. We reaffirm our commitment to the truth and the well-being of all our customers.
Rox Club Lounge remains committed to working with ethics, respect, and responsibility, always prioritising the safety and comfort of our patrons.”