The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Swiss jihadist knife attacker jailed for nine years

Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona
The trial heard that the defendent would attack again, only "more efficiently". © Ti-press

A woman who stabbed two people in a shopping centre in southern Switzerland in a jihadist-inspired attack has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment by a Swiss court.

The 29-year-old woman was found guilty on two counts of attempted murder and belonging to a banned terrorist organisation at the Federal Criminal Court on Monday.

The attacks took place in a shopping centre in the southern Swiss city of Lugano in 2020 when two female shoppers were stabbed. One suffered serious neck injuries and the other was slashed on her hands.

The court heard that the defendent had links with the banned Islamic terrorist group Islamic State and had conducted an online rerlationship with a jihadist in Syria. During the attacks she shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is Great”) and “Sono qui per l’ISIS” (“I am here for ISIS”).

At the trial she told the judge that she would repeat the offence given the chance but would do it “more efficiently”.

The court heard that the accused was afflicted by a psychotic disorder resembling schizophrenia, but that the attack was nevertheless pre-meditated rather than impulsive. 

The court ordered that the woman spend part of her sentence at a secure psychiatric institution.

Federal prosecutors had demanded a jail sentence of 14 years but said on Monday they would review the written court verdict before deciding how to act.

The woman was also fined CHF2,000 ($2,070) for illegal prostitution.

Popular Stories

News

Boats sail to Solothurn to celebrate 700 years of Le Landeron

More

Boats sail to Solothurn to celebrate 700 years of Le Landeron

This content was published on The challenge of crossing Lake Biel from Le Landeron to Solothurn without a motor was taken up by 16 amateur crews on Saturday. The competition is part of Le Landeron's 700th anniversary celebrations.

Read more: Boats sail to Solothurn to celebrate 700 years of Le Landeron
On social networks, State Councillors have a smooth profile

More

Digital Democracy

Swiss cantonal ministers keep low profile on social media

This content was published on A small base of followers and neutral posts: these are the conclusions that emerge from a study published by UNIL researchers into the use of social networks by councillors of state.

Read more: Swiss cantonal ministers keep low profile on social media
Rents set to rise by up to 5% a year in Switzerland, says OFL

More

Swiss rents forecast to rise up to 5% annually, housing chief warns

This content was published on Rents on the Swiss market are set to rise by between 3% and 5% a year over the next few years, warned Martin Tschirren, Director of the Federal Housing Office (FHO), on Sunday. "Demand for housing remains higher than supply".

Read more: Swiss rents forecast to rise up to 5% annually, housing chief warns
Swiss abroad: 'yes' to electronic identity

More

Swiss Abroad

Swiss Abroad say ‘yes’ to electronic identity

This content was published on The Council of the Swiss Abroad, meeting today in Bern, passed a resolution in favour of the new Electronic Identity Act (Id-e), which will be put to the vote on 28 September.

Read more: Swiss Abroad say ‘yes’ to electronic identity
One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity

More

One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity

This content was published on On average, the Swiss consume 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity per year. According to Velobiz.de, this is roughly equivalent to the amount generated by all 176 cyclists in the Tour de France during the entire race.

Read more: One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity
Lisa Mazzone criticises the Federal Council's neo-liberal policy

More

Foreign Affairs

Green party leader criticises government’s neo-liberal policy

This content was published on The Green Party delegates' meeting opened on Saturday morning in Vicques (JU) with a speech by party president Lisa Mazzone. Mazzone took particular aim at the Federal Council's policy towards the United States.

Read more: Green party leader criticises government’s neo-liberal policy
Safra Sarasin and a former asset manager sentenced

More

Swiss Politics

Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced

This content was published on The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.

Read more: Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
1MDB affair: JPMorgan to pay CHF 270 million

More

Swiss Politics

JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims

This content was published on JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.

Read more: JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR