The Appeals Chamber of the Spanish National Court has reached a significant verdict in the case of Yassine Kanjaa, a Moroccan national previously charged with the murder of a priest in an Algeciras church. Rather than imposing a prison sentence, the court has ordered that Kanjaa be confined to a psychiatric facility for a duration of up to 30 years. This ruling stems from a thorough evaluation of Kanjaa's mental health, revealing that he suffers from a severe mental disorder that significantly impaired his ability to understand and control his actions at the time of the incident. The court underscored the importance of continued psychiatric treatment, noting the risks he poses due to ongoing psychotic symptoms.
This recent ruling affirms the initial decision made on November 25, which rejected all appeals filed by the prosecution, the family of the victim, and various organizations advocating for justice. Medical assessments indicated that Kanjaa's severe psychotic disorder, linked to schizophrenia, rendered him incapable of comprehending his actions during the attack, thus absolving him of criminal liability.
The tragic events unfolded on January 25, 2023, when Kanjaa launched a machete assault on two churches in Algeciras, resulting in the death of a priest and injuries to multiple individuals. Initially, the prosecution had sought a lengthy prison sentence of 50 years, framing the incident within a terrorism context.
In light of the court's decision, the victim's family is now considering an appeal to the Supreme Court and is also pursuing compensation from the Spanish state for the damages incurred. This pursuit of compensation is especially pertinent, as Kanjaa has declared bankruptcy, indicating his inability to meet any compensation orders issued by the court.
The court mandated that Kanjaa pay a total of 150,000 euros to the victim's spouse, as well as 50,000 euros each to his two children, alongside additional compensation for other victims affected by the attack. However, due to Kanjaa's financial insolvency, the collection of these compensatory damages remains unfeasible.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
