Man faces murder charges after fatal Linz knife attack

A 34-year-old Croatian man faces murder charges over a fatal knife attack in Linz, ORF reported. The victim was a 26-year-old Afghan man. An expert report found the suspect criminally responsible but affected by psychological disorders, the Linz public prosecutor’s office confirmed.

In mid-March, the man allegedly confronted a driver he did not know in central Linz. Three Afghans nearby intervened and reprimanded him before entering a barbershop.

When they left about half an hour later, the 34-year-old was allegedly still there. Prosecutors say he followed the men and attacked two of them with a knife. A 24-year-old was seriously injured, while the 26-year-old died shortly afterwards in hospital.

The suspect was arrested soon afterwards. On the day of the attack, he allegedly told his wife that he would go on a rampage and wanted to kill someone. She alerted police, who began searching for him. During the search, an emergency call reported that someone had been stabbed in central Linz.

Prosecutors said there was also a risk that the man could commit further serious offences. They will therefore seek both a prison sentence and his placement in a forensic-therapeutic centre.