Psychosis and murder: The case of an Afghan shakes Vienna

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Die Geschworenen beraten über die Schuldfähigkeit eines 27-Jährigen, der im Februar drei Frauen in einem Wiener Asiastudio brutal ermordete. Experten warnen vor seiner Gefährlichkeit.
The jurors advise on the guiltability of a 27-year-old who brutally murdered three women in a Viennese Asiastudio in February. Experts warn of his danger. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

Before the Vienna Regional Court is currently being negotiated on a serious case that took place on February 23, 2023 in an Asiastudio in the federal capital. A 27-year-old Afghan is suspected of brutally murdering three women, including the studio's operator and two sex workers. The jury recently withdrawn for advice to decide whether the accused should be instructed in a forensic-therapeutic center because he is assessed as highly dangerous. This is also confirmed by the psychiatric expert Peter Hofmann, who emphasizes the seriousness of the mental disorder of the accused.

The accused states that while fleeing Iran in Serbia, he met a "European witch" who wanted to control him telepathically. In fact, it was a refugee helper with a Christian background, to which he wanted to build a relationship. His faith led to inner conflicts because he seems to be a sin. This meant that he was sliding into more and more psychotic conditions, which resulted in serious deeds when he moved to Vienna.

the crime scene

In the evening of the crime scene, the 27-year-old came to the Asiastudio. After entering, he stabbed a 47-year-old victim with a knife without warning, which died on site. The horror continued when he attacked another woman in the adjacent room and also fatally injured her. He then killed the 67-year-old operator of the studio, who tried to get to safety.

Another random witness who was in the adjoining room described the screams and the panicked flight after the crime. "I heard the screams," she reported in court. Their calm reaction and that prevented them from being discovered. The situation escalated into a bloody massacre within a few minutes.

The investigator also testifies that, after stabbing on the women, the Afghan perpetrator was looking for other victims, but was unsuccessful due to the silence and escape of the other surviving women. A husband of a surviving witness just got started in time to start the rescue chain.

psychiatric assessment

The psychiatric assessment showed that the accused suffers from acute psychosis that attributed him inadequate guilt. However, experts indicate that a complete loss of memory is hardly possible in view of the use of violence and the clear intent of killing. "You can call this a massacre, slaughter, and the expert summarized the brutality of the deeds.

Overall, the process shows how profound the mental problems of the man are. Hofmann speaks of a "psychotic breakthrough". Meanwhile, the forecasts are alarming. Experts fear that the man might be able to commit such an act unless he receives the necessary treatment. Although he has been stabilized for four months, the accused continues to believe in the existence of the witch who wants to control him.

The effects of the acts are devastating, not only for the victims, but also for the perpetrator, who is now being recorded in a special justice. His behavior and beliefs illustrate the complex interactions between mental illnesses and criminal behavior. While the process continues, it remains to be seen how the court will decide and what fates are associated with these everyday and tragic circumstances.