The defense of the detainee for the murder of a sacristan in Algeciras questions whether there was a terrorist purpose

MADRID, 2 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The defense of Yassine Kanjaa, the alleged jihadist author of the attack on January 25 in Algeciras (Cádiz) in which a sacristan was assassinated and several people injured, has filed an appeal in which, although it does not refute the facts , he does dispute that there was a terrorist purpose in the actions of his client and considers that they should be classified as common crimes.

This is confirmed by legal sources consulted by Europa Press who have had access to that document, and point out that, in addition, the defense is also interested in carrying out a psychiatric forensic examination on the 25-year-old Moroccan in case he could suffer from a mental disorder that would affect his imputability.

However, and after knowing that the magistrate of the National Court in charge of the investigation, Joaquín Gadea, has already requested this diligence, it is likely that the defense will be satisfied with the report of the forensics of the National Court.

In order to refute this terrorist purpose -which entails penalties so serious that they could even lead to permanent reviewable imprisonment-, the defense would rely on the fact that it is unlikely that in just one month a person can become radicalized and become a fanatic to the point to become a terrorist.

In addition, in that writing it would be argued that Yassine Kanjaa has always denied belonging to a terrorist organization, including the Islamic State, and in fact has come to describe them as violent. He also maintains that he would have studied religion on his behalf and that he became more religious in the last month before the attack took place.

On the other hand, in that same brief, presented after the judge agreed to pretrial detention without bail, the defense requests the release of his client, or in his case that some precautionary measures be agreed so that he can be released from prison, such as the withdrawal of the passport or the obligation to appear periodically in court.

It should be remembered that this past Tuesday, the instructor interested, in addition to this psychiatric examination by two doctors from the forensic clinic of the National Court -provided that the investigated consents-, a series of procedures such as requesting that they send him the report forensic doctor of the autopsy carried out on the murdered sacristan. He also agreed to summon 16 people as witnesses, including those who were injured in the attack last Wednesday in Algeciras, who will be offered actions as injured parties.

It was last Monday when Yassine Kanjaa was brought before the courts, and the judge decreed imprisonment, attributing the crimes of murder and injuries for terrorist purposes. It also indicated that the activity carried out by the detainee could be classified as a jihadist attack directed both against priests who profess the faith of the Catholic Church and against Muslims who, according to the investigator, do not follow the precepts of the Koran.

He also maintained that the violent actions were carried out consciously and intentionally to cause the greatest possible damage, maintaining control of the situation at all times. And he pointed out that from the two statements he has given, before the police and in court itself, except for some contradictions on peripheral elements of the story, he was able to essentially reproduce the most important aspects of his action.

He reported that the conduct of the investigated was conscious and that he had defined his objectives, having the option of causing greater damage, he focused his action specifically on the subjects whom he attacked, whom he deliberately chose.

And he explained that the first of the actions was against the priests, recognizing that his intention was to kill all the priests who were in the church. Secondly, the magistrate indicated, he focused his attack on a Moroccan whom he considered unfaithful, believing that he was before a converted Moroccan, for not practicing the authentic religion, and whom he attacked with the intention of killing him.

For all these reasons, the magistrate considered this Monday that the detainee identified himself with a profile of a self-indoctrinated terrorist, who acted individually and not directly linked to a specific terrorist organization, but who, ultimately, carries out his action on behalf of of the jihadist phenomenon to which so many adhere remotely, generating a violent attack that causes terror in society and destabilizes social peace.