Life imprisonment and preventive detention expected in Bielefeld IS knife trial

According to the indictment, the accused had joined the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) in his home country and was active in its ranks for years. He had sworn allegiance to the caliph. After his arrest by Kurdish units, he spent eight months in prison before coming to Germany in 2023.

Radicalization in Germany and IS Past

In Germany, according to investigations, he further radicalized within six months, consuming Islamist videos via TikTok. Shortly before the attack, he is said to have sent a confession video to an IS contact, which, however, was not published. Upon his arrest, he was carrying a piece of paper with a self-drawn IS flag.

The psychiatric expert classified the defendant as deeply Islamistically radicalized. The jihadist ideology is an integral part of his personality and value system. De-radicalization had not occurred; the man is sensitive, intolerant, and prone to violence. His psychological state had worsened in Germany after family reunification was stopped, he found no work, and did not learn German.

Confession and Psychiatric Assessment

The defendant confessed to psychologists and psychiatrists while in pre-trial detention and also admitted to the act in his final statement in court. There, he also stated that he had already killed two people in Syria, including his half-brother, on behalf of the IS.

The attacker's escape only ended when he lost his self-made cane-sword weapon and encountered determined resistance. He was arrested on the evening of May 19 in Heiligenhaus near Düsseldorf after a cousin reported him to the police.

The court continues to see a danger in the man due to his radical Islamist ideology. The verdict is expected on Monday.