chargement...
The Appeals Chamber of the Spanish National Court has acquitted a Moroccan national, Yassine Kanjaa, of the murder charge involving a priest in an Algeciras church. Instead, the court has mandated his confinement in a psychiatric facility for up to 30 years. This decision is based on his diagnosis of a severe mental disorder that compromised his ability to understand and control his actions. The court emphasized the necessity of ongoing medical treatment due to the danger he poses and the persistence of certain psychotic symptoms.
The court's decision supports the initial ruling from November 25, dismissing all appeals from the prosecution, the victim's family, and several organizations. According to medical evaluations, Kanjaa suffers from a severe psychotic disorder associated with schizophrenia, which rendered him incapable of understanding or controlling his actions at the time of the incident, thereby absolving him of criminal responsibility.
The incident occurred on January 25, 2023, when Kanjaa, armed with a machete, attacked two churches in Algeciras. This assault led to the death of a priest and injuries to several others. The prosecution had sought a 50-year prison sentence, framing the charges within the context of terrorism.
In response to the ruling, the victim's family is contemplating an appeal to the Supreme Court and has begun the process of seeking compensation from the Spanish state for damages. This action is particularly relevant given that Kanjaa has declared bankruptcy, making him unable to fulfill the compensation orders.
The court had ordered Kanjaa to pay 150,000 euros to the victim's wife and 50,000 euros to each of his two children, along with additional compensations for other victims of the attack. However, these compensations remain uncollectible due to his financial insolvency.
