The start of the process: Bordel killer from Vienna is on trial

The start of the process: Bordel killer from Vienna is on trial

A terrible incident shaked all of Austria: On February 23, 2024, a cruel crime happened in a brothel in Vienna-Brigittenau. A 27-year-old asylum seeker who was armed with a knife killed three women who worked as sex workers. This bloody deed caused horror and questions in public. Now the perpetrator is on trial.

The process begins on November 25, 2024 at the Vienna Regional Court. However, the accused, who comes from Afghanistan, is not accused of triple murder. Rather, it is argued that his psychological constitution played a crucial role at the time of the crime. A psychiatric report suggests that the man suffers from a paranoid schizophrenia. This raises complex legal questions, because since it may not be accountable, it could be instructed instead of a prison in a forensic-therapeutic center.

mental health in focus

Psychiatric reports often have an impact on the course of such a procedure, especially when it comes to serious violent crimes. The public prosecutor has applied for the accommodation of the perpetrator in a psychiatric institution. This means that questions about the responsibility and treatment of mental illnesses will be at the center of the process. The discussion about mental health in connection with violent crimes is a sensitive and often controversial topic.

In this case, which appeals to both prejudices and deeper social fears, the presumption of innocence will apply. The defendant's legal representatives will concentrate on emphasizing the man's psychological problems, while the statement of the prosecution will point out the severity of the crime.

It remains to be seen how the process will go and what conclusions are drawn from it, especially with regard to dealing with mentally ill perpetrators. The case could not only have extensive implications for the perpetrator himself, but also for society. For a detailed view of the case, See the report on www.5min.at .