| Stratos |
01-14-2004 02:25 AM |
Quote:
Sweden puts Lindh killer on trial
By Emma Jane Kirby
BBC correspondent in Stockholm
A 25-year-old man appears in court in Stockholm on Wednesday, charged with the murder of Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh.
Mijailo Mijailovic confessed to killing her last week - four months after he was arrested.
His lawyers say he attacked Mrs Lindh on an impulse of madness, but prosecutors argue that the killing was premeditated.
Lindh's murder in September prompted a public outpouring of grief.
She was undoubtedly one of Sweden's most popular politicians.
Confession
Millions of Swedes are expected to follow her murder trial on national radio, which will broadcast events live from the courtroom.
Mr Mijailovic is a Swede of Serbian origin. He stabbed the politician as she shopped in a Stockholm department store.
The accused had been receiving treatment for schizophrenia prior to the attack on Mrs Lindh.
When he confessed his crime to police he told them that Jesus had made him stab her.
A judgement on the case is unlikely before Mijailovic undergoes psychiatric assessment.
If he is convicted, he faces life imprisonment or being sent to a secure mental institution.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...pe/3394691.stm
Published: 2004/01/14 02:53:23 GMT
© BBC MMIV
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The Swedish law enforcment have often been criticized for being inefficient by the media and with the failure to catch Prime Minister Olof Palme murderer fresh in mind, this will at least be a minor boost to the policeforce's image.
[ 01-14-2004, 02:26 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ] |
