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🇮🇹 Italy /Crime & Justice

Modena Judge: El Koudri Did Not Act Due to Psychiatric Disorders

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A judge ruled that a man who drove into pedestrians in Modena did not act due to psychiatric disorders at the time of the incident.
  • The judge validated the arrest of the 31-year-old, finding no evidence he was incapable of understanding his actions.
  • The suspect reportedly intended to hit as many people as possible, deliberately swerving to strike pedestrians on both sides of the street.

In Modena, the judicial process has moved forward concerning the shocking incident where Salim El Koudri drove his car into pedestrians. The investigating judge, Donatella Pianezzi, has ruled that there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest El Koudri's actions were a direct result of psychiatric disorders, specifically the schizoid personality disorder for which he had been receiving treatment. This ruling is significant as it validates his arrest and implies he was capable of understanding and intending his actions at the time of the event.

At the moment there are no elements to believe that the act committed on Saturday afternoon is a consequence of the pathology - schizoid personality disorder - for which Salim El Koudri had been undergoing treatment at the Mental Health Center of Castelfranco Emilia.

— Donatella PianezziThe investigating judge stated that there is no current evidence linking the attack to the suspect's diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The judge's order highlights the deliberate nature of El Koudri's actions. It states that the 31-year-old clearly intended to hit as many people as possible, maneuvering his vehicle to maximize harm. The reconstruction of events indicates he initially targeted pedestrians on the right side of the street before swerving to the crowded left side. This calculated behavior, as detailed by the judge, contradicts any immediate claim of diminished capacity due to mental illness at the precise moment of the attack.

For the judge, there are not even elements at the moment to believe that El Koudri was incapable of understanding and willing when he committed the act.

— Donatella PianezziThe judge ruled that the suspect was likely capable of understanding his actions during the attack.

While El Koudri remained silent during his hearing, his defense attorney, Fabio Giannelli, has requested psychiatric evaluation and medication to stabilize his client, hoping to foster cooperation with the justice system. The lawyer noted that El Koudri appeared more lucid than previously, even asking for cigarettes. However, the prosecution has requested pre-trial detention, a move the defense anticipated. The question of premeditation remains complex, with the defense acknowledging the horrific nature of the act but emphasizing that the underlying triggers in El Koudri's mind are yet to be fully understood by forensic psychiatrists. The prosecution has not pursued charges related to terrorism, focusing instead on the violent act itself.

He was hearing voices, he wasn't sleeping anymore and he had tachycardia.

— Fausto GianelliSalim El Koudri's lawyer described his client's state prior to the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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