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National Court Acquits Algeciras Church Attacker for Insanity, Orders Up to 30 Years in Psychiatric Custody

Judges found forensic evidence of acute psychotic decompensation that removed his criminal capacity.

Overview

  • Yassine Kanjaa, who confessed to killing sacristan Diego Valencia on January 25, 2023, and injuring two others, was declared exempt from criminal liability under Article 20.1 of the Penal Code.
  • The court ordered his internment in a prison psychiatric facility for a maximum term of 30 years.
  • Magistrates ruled the attack did not constitute terrorism, citing delusional, messianic thinking rather than an intent to terrorize the public.
  • The ruling sets compensation of €150,000 for the widow, €50,000 for each of two children, and €17,000 for relatives of the wounded vicar.
  • Prosecutors had sought a 50-year prison sentence, and one judge dissented to argue for treating the acts as terrorism to secure victims’ legal protections.