Overview
- Salim El Koudri, 31, drove into pedestrians Saturday in central Modena and injured eight people before being arrested.
- At Tuesday’s hearing, the judge validated his arrest after prosecutors sought prison custody without alleging terrorism, hate motive, or premeditation.
- El Koudri stayed largely silent but gave police the unlock codes to his phones and other devices, and his lawyer requested a psychiatric exam and medication to stabilize him.
- Investigators are reviewing 2021 anti‑Christian emails sent to his former university, calls to a NATO base about enlistment, and social posts flagged as aggressive, while Bologna’s anti‑terror office says no organized jihadist link has emerged.
- Hospitals report three victims improving and two women still in critical condition, including a 69‑year‑old tourist who lost both legs and is now breathing on her own.