Knife stabber from Würzburg
Psychiatric clinic: No evidence of a later crime
Flowers and candles in front of the closed department store where a man had attacked people with a knife. Photo: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
When the Würzburg stabber was released, employees of a psychiatric clinic had no indication that the man wanted to kill people.
When the Würzburg stabber was released, employees of a psychiatric clinic had no indication that the man wanted to kill people.
There were “no indications of endangering yourself or others,” said the medical director of the Center for Mental Health in Würzburg, Dominikus Bönsch, on Friday before the Würzburg Regional Court. During his four visits to the clinic in the six months before the crime, the employees “did not perceive the Somali as an outstanding patient”.
Dismissal against medical advice
The man was diagnosed with psychotic states and pronounced fears. He was released against medical advice. There was no way to force him to continue treatment. The legal hurdles are incredibly high, said Bönsch, who is also medical director of the psychiatric hospital in Lohr am Main.
On June 25, 2021, the accused killed three unknown women with a knife in downtown Würzburg. There were also four seriously injured women. An 11-year-old girl and a 16-year-old were also seriously injured. There were also three minor injuries.
The man, around 30, whose exact age is not known to the authorities, has had to answer for the crimes in a security procedure since April. He has admitted the allegations and expressed his regret.
The Munich public prosecutor believes the man acted out of hatred for Germany. She wants to have him permanently placed in a psychiatric ward because he is said to be dangerous to everyone.
This Saturday, the anniversary of the crime, the victims will be remembered at various events in Würzburg.