Syrian refugee describes attack on son

Asmaa Albukaie, a Syrian Muslim refugee, arrived in Boise with her two teenage sons about 18 months ago. There was a more welcoming spirit then, she recalls. Syria “wasn’t under a spotlight, like now,” she said. “But now I think people are more scared about refugees.” And not just scared. In February, her younger son, 16, was assaulted in Downtown Boise. His assailant allegedly asked whether the boy was Muslim.

[Story: Story of Syrian refugees raping Idaho girl is wrong, prosecutor says.]

A Nampa man was arrested and charged under Idaho’s hate crime law. His trial is pending. Later, her son asked: Should he have lied about his background?/Bill Dentzer, Idaho Statesman. More here.