Suspect in killing of 11-year-old was in program for dangerous psychiatric patients
The 29-year-old man suspected of fatally stabbing 11-year-old Sohani in Nieuwegein was enrolled in a specialized program for dangerous psychiatric patients, run by the forensic care organization Fivoor. The program provides intensive psychiatric treatment for individuals with a history of disruptive behavior. The suspect was remanded to jail for an extra two weeks while the investigation continues.
The suspect, Hamza L., was previously known to police and the judiciary. In August 2016, he appeared before a judge in The Hague for allegedly threatening his mother in May of that year. According to court records, he demanded sexual acts from her in crude language and threatened to kill her.
"Take off your pants," he reportedly said to his mother, followed by, "I'm going to kill you all." It is unclear what sentence he received for the incident.
The murder has led to tensions within parliament. PVV leader Geert Wilders emphasized the suspect’s Moroccan background, this came after he mistakenly said that the suspect was from Syria. “The Netherlands is being broken by this multicultural violence,” said the leader of the largest party in the Netherlands. Wilders did not mention the nationality of the 11-year-old, who was from Eritrea.
This was followed by Stephan van Baarle from DENK demanding that Wilders retract his words and added that he felt Wilders was throwing Dutch Moroccans under the bus.
The Minister of Justice and Security, David van Weel, said that the incident should not be used in order to make “racist statements.” He added that the debate should have been about the tragic story of the death of a young girl. "This should not be the reason to write off entire groups in our society, to pit them against each other, or to make racist statements."
Sources told De Telegraaf that Hamza L. was under supervision by Stichting Exodus, a forensic care organization that provides housing and support for former detainees. He left The Hague in the spring of 2024 and moved to Nieuwegein, where his family lives. Initially staying with his sister and brother-in-law, he later moved into a single-family home on Anemoonstraat, where the attack took place.
A fundraising campaign for the funeral of Sohani has raised nearly 28,000 euros. The initial goal of 26,000 euros has been met, and the target has now been increased to 32,500 euros to cover additional expenses for the burial in Eritrea.
At around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Hamza L. stabbed Sohani as she was on her way to visit a friend. The attack took place in front of other children. Police said there was no known connection between the suspect and the victim, suggesting she was randomly targeted.
Neighbors told De Telegraaf that Hamza L. had been a source of ongoing disturbances in the neighborhood and had exhibited threatening behavior. Several residents had previously reported him to the police.
One woman said she called police just hours before Sohani was killed because Hamza L. had behaved aggressively while she was walking her dog the previous evening.
Fivoor, the organization responsible for Hamza L.’s care, has not commented on his case, citing privacy laws. However, sources confirmed to De Telegraaf that he was part of Fivoor’s "lifelong approach" program.
According to Fivoor’s website, the program is intended for adults who exhibit dangerous behavior toward others or are at high risk of doing so. The program is designed for individuals with long-term, recurring, and difficult-to-manage psychiatric issues.
"There is a risk of repeated dangerous behavior. These individuals require structured treatment, restrictions, and supervision," the organization states. It is unclear what specific care Hamza L. received.
Fivoor has been involved in multiple high-profile incidents of extreme violence. In a recent case, a 76-year-old woman was fatally stabbed near one of its forensic psychiatric clinics in Den Dolder.
The organization also housed Michael P., who was staying at Fivoor in 2017 when he raped and murdered Anne Faber. Additionally, a 44-year-old forensic psychiatric patient escaped from Fivoor’s Den Dolder facility last year before being recaptured.
Hamza L. was living alone in what neighbors described as a heavily neglected house. Authorities have not explained why he was allowed to reside unsupervised in a densely populated neighborhood with many children.
Housing corporation Woonin, which listed the property for rent in August 2020, has declined to comment. The original rental listing specified that tenants were required to install soft flooring to minimize noise. Neighbors said Hamza L. frequently played loud music and engaged in erratic dancing inside the house.
The GGD Utrecht’s Public Mental Health Team, which assists vulnerable individuals, has not commented on its involvement in the case. The municipality of Nieuwegein referred all inquiries to the police.
Police said the suspect is in full restrictions, meaning he can only communicate with his lawyer. "For this reason, we will be very limited in our statements about this tragic case," a spokesperson for Midden-Nederland police said via email.
