Psychiatric Exam Ordered for Suspect in Spanish Church Attack

The investigating judge in charge of the case, Joaquín Gadea, ordered this medical expertise to determine whether the accused is guilty or not of these crimes. This forensic medical examination will be carried out in compliance with the Moroccan’s right to defense and with his prior consent, assures the judge who has requested two doctors from the National Court’s forensic clinic to conduct the psychiatric examination of the defendant.

After hearing Yassine Kanjaa before the court, Judge Gadea ordered his placement in pre-trial detention without bail for the crimes of murder and injuries for terrorist purposes, especially since the Moroccan’s acts against Catholic Church priests can be described as a jihadist attack. Considering the consistency of the accused’s statements to the police and before the court, with a few contradictions, the magistrate concluded that Yassine was aware of his actions and their consequences.

For Gadea, the Moroccan deliberately chose to attack the priests with the intention of killing them. For these reasons, the magistrate considered that he has the profile of a "lone" jihadist terrorist, since he is not linked to a terrorist organization. An "unstable" profile, according to the National Police, who specify that the 25-year-old man has recently become radicalized. Various electronic devices under analysis, various documents and the sheath of the knife used during the attack were seized from his home.