Cedar Rapids man charged with threatening ex-wife, children

A Cedar Rapids man has been arrested after police say he threatened to kill his wife and injure his two children.

Hazim Mohammed al-Yasiri, 40, spoke with his children over the phone on Aug. 16 after his ex-wife called him to discuss an issue with the children, according to a Johnson County Sheriff's Office criminal complaint. There's a no contact order between al-Yasiri and his ex-wife, officials said.

While on the phone, Al-Yasiri allegedly threatened to “beat up” his 11-year-old daughter. He then allegedly threatened to break his 9-year-old son's arms and legs, and told him he would “have to crawl to the bathroom.”

Officers say al-Yasiri then spoke with his ex-wife and allegedly threatened to kill her and the children. Police say his ex-wife fears for the safety of her and her children.

Al-Yasiri has been charged with first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor.

-- Clark Cahill, reporter