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German on trial for Muslim murder German on trial for Muslim murder
(about 1 hour later)
The trial of a man accused of stabbing a pregnant Egyptian woman to death inside a German courtroom has begun in the city of Dresden.The trial of a man accused of stabbing a pregnant Egyptian woman to death inside a German courtroom has begun in the city of Dresden.
The defendant, 28-year-old Alex W, had earlier been fined for calling Marwa Sherbini "a terrorist" and "Islamist". The defendant, 29-year-old Alex W, had earlier been fined for calling Marwa Sherbini "a terrorist" and "Islamist".
He is alleged to have smuggled a kitchen knife into an appeal hearing where Ms Sherbini was killed.He is alleged to have smuggled a kitchen knife into an appeal hearing where Ms Sherbini was killed.
The attack in July sparked outrage in the Muslim world, with protests in Egypt, Iran and Turkey.The attack in July sparked outrage in the Muslim world, with protests in Egypt, Iran and Turkey.
The defendant is accused of murder, attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm.The defendant is accused of murder, attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm.
He was fined 50 euros ($75; £46) by the judge, Birgit Wiegand, for refusing to remove his sunglasses although he conceded to lower his hood.He was fined 50 euros ($75; £46) by the judge, Birgit Wiegand, for refusing to remove his sunglasses although he conceded to lower his hood.
Tight securityTight security
He faced another fine after refusing to confirm his name and place of birth, the AFP news agency reported.He faced another fine after refusing to confirm his name and place of birth, the AFP news agency reported.
The trial is taking place in the same courtroom as the stabbing and security is tight.The trial is taking place in the same courtroom as the stabbing and security is tight.
Two hundred police are securing the courthouse and bullet-proof glass has been installed in the courtroom.Two hundred police are securing the courthouse and bullet-proof glass has been installed in the courtroom.
Elwy Ali Okaz tried to protect his pregnant wife from her attacker
Anyone attending the hearing has to undergo strict security screenings similar to that in airports.Anyone attending the hearing has to undergo strict security screenings similar to that in airports.
The defendant has been the subject of internet death threats.The defendant has been the subject of internet death threats.
Ms Wiegand told the court that the trial would try to get "to the bottom of the circumstances" surrounding Ms Sherbini's death.Ms Wiegand told the court that the trial would try to get "to the bottom of the circumstances" surrounding Ms Sherbini's death.
The case began with an argument in a playground in 2008.The case began with an argument in a playground in 2008.
Ms Sherbini, a pharmacist, is said to have asked the defendant to let her child use a playground swing he was sitting on.Ms Sherbini, a pharmacist, is said to have asked the defendant to let her child use a playground swing he was sitting on.
A public funeral was held for the pharmacist in Dresden in July
He allegedly refused and instead called her abusive names.He allegedly refused and instead called her abusive names.
Ms Sherbini took the defendant to court and he was fined 780 euros ($1,170; £718) for defamation.Ms Sherbini took the defendant to court and he was fined 780 euros ($1,170; £718) for defamation.
'Hatred'
But when he returned to court for the appeal on 1 July this year, prosecutors say he smuggled a seven-inch (18cm) kitchen knife into the courtroom and stabbed Ms Sherbini at least 16 times with it.But when he returned to court for the appeal on 1 July this year, prosecutors say he smuggled a seven-inch (18cm) kitchen knife into the courtroom and stabbed Ms Sherbini at least 16 times with it.
The 31-year-old, who was three-months pregnant with her second child, bled to death.The 31-year-old, who was three-months pregnant with her second child, bled to death.
Ms Sherbini's three-year-old son was with the family in court when she was killed.Ms Sherbini's three-year-old son was with the family in court when she was killed.
Her husband Elwy Ali Okaz was stabbed as he tried to protect his wife.Her husband Elwy Ali Okaz was stabbed as he tried to protect his wife.
He was also accidentally shot by German police who initially believed him to be the attacker. He was also accidentally shot in the leg by German police who initially believed him to be the attacker.
Prosecutors say the defendant - who is Russian-born but a German citizen - was motivated by a "hatred of non-Europeans and Muslims". A public funeral was held for the pharmacist in Dresden in July
'Islamophobia' He arrived at court on crutches wearing a badge showing his wife's face.
Prosecutors say the defendant - an unemployed Russian-born German national - was motivated by a "hatred of non-Europeans and Muslims".
He reportedly suffers from depression. However, court-appointed psychiatric experts said they had not found any evidence of diminished responsibility, the AFP news agency reported.He reportedly suffers from depression. However, court-appointed psychiatric experts said they had not found any evidence of diminished responsibility, the AFP news agency reported.
Newspapers in Egypt and other Islamic countries have expressed outrage at the case, asking how the fatal attack could have happened. Ms Sherbini, who wore a headscarf, has been dubbed "the martyr of the Hijab".Newspapers in Egypt and other Islamic countries have expressed outrage at the case, asking how the fatal attack could have happened. Ms Sherbini, who wore a headscarf, has been dubbed "the martyr of the Hijab".
Muslim leaders accused Germany of Islamophobia and German officials of being far too slow to react to the killing.Muslim leaders accused Germany of Islamophobia and German officials of being far too slow to react to the killing.
The Egyptian government has hired lawyers for Ms Sherbini's family and has called for a life sentence if the defendant is convicted - the maximum penalty possible.The Egyptian government has hired lawyers for Ms Sherbini's family and has called for a life sentence if the defendant is convicted - the maximum penalty possible.
Axel Koehler, president of the German Central Council of Muslims, said his community expected a "strong conviction".Axel Koehler, president of the German Central Council of Muslims, said his community expected a "strong conviction".
"We are looking at this trial with great anticipation because our women and girls are obviously scared", he said.