(Keystone-ATS)
The author of the murder committed in Morges (VD) in September 2020 will be fixed on his fate this afternoon. The Federal Criminal Court will deliver its verdict against this dual Turkish-Swiss national. The federal prosecutor requested 18 years of imprisonment last December.
The accused responds to murder and assassination, attempted fire and explosion as well as propaganda in favor of the Islamic State (IS), in particular. Aged 29 today, he fatally stabbed a young Portuguese on September 12, 2020 in a kebab in Morges. A year earlier, he had tried to set fire to a service station in Prilly (VD).
During the three days of hearing in December, the defendant made confused and contradictory statements, explaining his actions by his fascination with IS. Psychiatric experts have concluded that the responsibility is moderately diminished due to simple schizophrenia. They showed reservations about the chances of institutional treatment or the advisability of ordinary internment.
Internment required
In his indictment, the federal prosecutor brushed aside the idea of treatment. He sought an 18-year sentence for murder, to reflect the degree of responsibility of the accused, coupled with internment to ensure public safety.
The defense attorney did not dispute the assassination. She however dismantled the grievances of propaganda in favor of the EI and attempts of fire and explosion. Dismissing the internment demanded by the prosecution, she wished that a sentence be pronounced “which has an end”, so that her client has a perspective.