30-Year-Old Remains Silent in Court Over New Year's Knife Attacks

A 30-year-old man is facing serious charges in connection with two knife attacks that occurred on New Year's Eve in Berlin. The defendant, who reportedly resides in Sweden, is accused of violently assaulting a 69-year-old man outside a supermarket and subsequently attacking a 19-year-old near a hotel.

During the opening of the trial at the Berlin District Court, the defendant's lawyer indicated that he would not provide a statement regarding the allegations at this time. The prosecution is charging him with attempted murder in two separate cases, asserting that the accused may have acted while in a state of diminished capacity due to a significant mental illness.

The events unfolded on December 31, 2024, when the accused allegedly entered a supermarket in Charlottenburg, Berlin, and stole two kitchen knives. Shortly thereafter, he is said to have attacked the elderly man, who sustained life-threatening injuries. Witnesses intervened, preventing further harm, and the attacker fled the scene.

Moments later, he reportedly assaulted a young man he did not know, injuring him as well. The 70-year-old victim, who testified during the proceedings, described the attack as sudden and brutal, stating he was ambushed from behind and endured a total of eleven knife wounds.

The accused was apprehended near the scene of the attacks and has since been held in a specialized hospital for psychiatric care. The prosecution is seeking to have him committed to a psychiatric facility permanently due to the circumstances surrounding his mental health.

The trial is set to continue, with four additional court dates scheduled up until August 1, allowing for further examination of the evidence and testimonies. As the case unfolds, the community remains concerned about safety and the implications of mental health in criminal behavior.