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German courtroom killer gets life | German courtroom killer gets life |
(9 minutes later) | |
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering a pregnant Egyptian woman in a German courtroom. | A man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering a pregnant Egyptian woman in a German courtroom. |
The Dresden state court also ruled that Alexander Wiens would not be eligible for early release. | The Dresden state court also ruled that Alexander Wiens would not be eligible for early release. |
Wiens, a 28-year-old Russian-born German citizen, admitted stabbing Marwa Sherbini to death at a court hearing involving them both in July. | Wiens, a 28-year-old Russian-born German citizen, admitted stabbing Marwa Sherbini to death at a court hearing involving them both in July. |
The crime sparked outrage across the Muslim world. | The crime sparked outrage across the Muslim world. |
During his trial, Wiens said his action was not premeditated, but prosecutors insisted he was motivated by a "hatred of non-Europeans and Muslims". | During his trial, Wiens said his action was not premeditated, but prosecutors insisted he was motivated by a "hatred of non-Europeans and Muslims". |
'Martyr of the hijab' | 'Martyr of the hijab' |
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 Wiens to let her child use a playground swing he was sitting on. He refused and instead called her abusive names. | Ms Sherbini, a pharmacist, is said to have asked Wiens to let her child use a playground swing he was sitting on. He refused and instead called her abusive names. |
Wiens hid his face under a hood and sunglasses during the trial | Wiens hid his face under a hood and sunglasses during the trial |
She later took the defendant to court and he was fined 780 euros ($1,170; £718) for defamation. | She later took the defendant to court and he was fined 780 euros ($1,170; £718) for defamation. |
But when Wiens returned to the courtroom for an appeal hearing on 1 July this year, prosecutors say he smuggled in an 18cm (7in) kitchen knife and stabbed Ms Sherbini at least 16 times with it. | But when Wiens returned to the courtroom for an appeal hearing on 1 July this year, prosecutors say he smuggled in an 18cm (7in) kitchen knife 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 in front of her husband and their three-year-old son. | The 31-year-old, who was three months pregnant with her second child, bled to death in front of her husband and their three-year-old son. |
Her husband was himself stabbed as he tried to protect his wife, and also accidentally shot in the leg by a security guard who initially believed him to be the attacker. | Her husband was himself stabbed as he tried to protect his wife, and also accidentally shot in the leg by a security guard who initially believed him to be the attacker. |
Wiens was also found guilty of attempted murder and causing bodily harm for his attack on the dead woman's husband. | |
Many Muslim leaders accused Germany of Islamophobia following the killing. | Many Muslim leaders accused Germany of Islamophobia following the killing. |
They said the country, which has the second-biggest Muslim population in Western Europe, had been too slow to condemn it. | They said the country, which has the second-biggest Muslim population in Western Europe, had been too slow to condemn it. |
Ms Sherbini, who wore a headscarf, was dubbed "the martyr of the hijab". | Ms Sherbini, who wore a headscarf, was dubbed "the martyr of the hijab". |
Thousands attended her funeral in Egypt, some chanting "Death to Germany", and there were also mass protests in Iran. | Thousands attended her funeral in Egypt, some chanting "Death to Germany", and there were also mass protests in Iran. |
On Wednesday, outside the courtroom, about 200 people staged a demonstration calling for the German government to do more to counter racism, particularly on the internet. |