Youth remains silent in court: trial over antisemitic attack in Zurich
A 17-year-old who attacked a man in Zurich with a knife refused to speak before the judge. The prosecution alleges attempted murder with a terrorist background.
Youth remains silent in court: trial over antisemitic attack in Zurich
Before the district court in Zurich, a 17-year-old defendant declined to answer all questions from the judge on the first day of trial. Instead of a statement, he repeatedly used the phrase "No comment".
The incident at the centre of the proceedings took place at around 9 p.m. near a Jewish place of worship in Zurich. The prosecution alleges that the young man planned a violent act over a period of weeks. He is said to have become radicalised and published a four-minute propaganda video in which he described himself as a fighter for the so-called Islamic State.
The defendant first attempted to enter the synagogue. When this failed, he chose another target: a man who was identifiable as an Orthodox Jew by his clothing. From behind, he attacked the victim with a bladed weapon. Bystanders were able to detain the perpetrator until police arrived.
During the hearing, the presiding judge read passages from earlier interrogations of the youth. In these, the defendant stated that he had planned to be shot by law enforcement. His aim, he said, had been to die as a martyr and thus reach heaven. As a motive, he cited revenge for his "brothers in faith in Gaza".
An audio recording that was created during the act, as a mobile phone had been recording in the attacker's pocket, documented his words even after his arrest. It can be heard how he threatened relatives of the injured man and shouted slogans of the terrorist group "Islamic State".
The juvenile prosecution alleges that the defendant committed multiple counts of attempted manslaughter, support for a criminal organisation, discrimination and incitement. It sought a one-year custodial sentence and various protective measures, including outpatient therapy and placement in a closed facility.
The young man was granted Swiss citizenship in 2011. The violent act caused consternation in the political world. Representatives of Jewish communities spoke of an alarming escalation, whilst Swiss Islamic associations condemned the act in the strongest possible terms.
Source: SRF
Source: SRF