Following knife attack in Winterthur: Federal prosecutor suspects terrorist background
The Federal Prosecution Office believes the attack at Winterthur railway station had an extremist motive. A psychiatric assessment is expected to provide additional findings.
Following knife attack in Winterthur: Federal prosecutor suspects terrorist background
At Winterthur railway station, a 31-year-old attacked and injured three pedestrians with a bladed weapon. The suspect has been held in custody since his arrest. The Federal Prosecution Office is handling the case on charges of multiple attempted manslaughter and support of a terrorist organisation.
In an interview with the broadcaster SRF, Switzerland's top federal prosecutor Stefan Blättler provided insights into the current state of the investigation. According to his account, preliminary questioning of the accused points to a politically motivated background. However, Blättler acknowledged that the man's psychological condition remained unclear. A forensic psychiatric assessment is intended to clarify this. The federal prosecutor emphasised that mental health and ideological radicalisation do not necessarily contradict each other.
An obstacle for investigators has arisen from the fact that the attacker's digital devices have been sealed. As reported by the "NZZ am Sonntag", the accused himself requested the lock – a procedure permitted under current Swiss law. Law enforcement authorities therefore have no access to potentially crucial communications data, contacts and messages from the period before the attack. Whether and when the devices are released will be decided by the court dealing with protective measures; no order has yet been issued.
Blättler expressed concern that public safety could be compromised by the delay. He hoped that the court's decision would not be long in coming.
Source: 20 Minuten
Source: 20 Minuten