A Russian-born immigrant who stabbed to death a pregnant Muslim woman as she gave evidence against him in court was today given Germany’s highest possible sentence for murder – 15 years’ jail with no chance of early parole.
The case has enraged the Arab world and in particular Egypt, where 31-year-old pharmacist Marwa al-Sherbini grew up.
Street demonstrators and commentators have blamed Germany for encouraging Islamophobia. The victim has been hailed as a martyr for her faith, a so-called “veil martyr”, because she had stood up against the taunts of the 28-year-old assailant, Alexander Wiens.
A fatwa has been pronounced on Mr Wiens and as a result the trial in Dresden was held under extraordinary security conditions, with the whole courthouse cleared and 200 armed police encircling the room.
“We find you bear a particularly heavy burden of guilt,” said Judge Birgit Wiegand. The phrase is German legal language indicating that Mr Wiens will not be considered for early release. Fifteen years constitutes a life sentence.
“We are very satisfied with the verdict,” said Ramzy Ezzedin Ramzy, Egypt’s ambassador to Berlin, “the maximum sentence was demanded and the maximum sentence was awarded.”
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good news in the Marwa el-Sherbini case:
A man who stabbed a pregnant Egyptian woman to death in a German courtroom in front of her husband and three-year-old son has been sentenced to the maximum penalty of life in jail.
