Moroccan man in Italy car attack had history of mental health treatment, no extremist links found

Italian investigators said searches carried out at the home of 31-year-old Moroccan Salim El Koudri uncovered no evidence of extremist activity or signs of self-radicalization following Saturday’s car-ramming attack in central Modena, which left eight people injured.

According to Italian media reports, authorities found no propaganda material or documents linked to extremist groups during the search of his apartment. Toxicology tests also came back negative for alcohol and drugs, while investigators said there was currently no evidence that other individuals had incited or helped him carry out the attack.

Investigators have nonetheless seized El Koudri’s phone and obtained his medical records from a mental health center in Castelfranco Emilia, where he had reportedly been treated for schizoid personality disorder until two years ago.

Born in Seriate, near Bergamo, to Moroccan parents originally from Ravarino, El Koudri allegedly drove his car onto a crowded sidewalk in Modena at around 4:30 p.m., striking several pedestrians at high speed in what prosecutors described as an attempted massacre.

Authorities are also exploring the possibility of revenge as a motive and have interviewed people close to the Italian-Moroccan suspect.