Forensic psychiatric patient admits stabbing but denies “kill all Jews” statement

A forensic psychiatric patient on trial for stabbing a Jewish patient in Groningen last year confessed to the crime, but denied in court that he wants all Jews to be killed. Malek F., 39, has been undergoing compulsory treatment for schizophrenia at a TBS clinic after stabbing three people at a train station in The Hague in 2018. F. claims he heard voices in his head commanding him to carry out the violent crime in 2025, and prosecutors believe he was suffering from a psychotic episode and should no longer face charges of attempted murder with terrorist intent.

The victim was attacked from behind on the sports field and fell to the ground, after which F. stabbed him several times with a shard of a plate. F. acknowledged that he shouted “Allahu akbar” during the assault. The victim claims in his statement that F. also shouted “all Jews must die,” a claim F. firmly denies. The prosecutor explained that this alone is not enough to establish a terrorist motive.

In court, F. repeatedly referred to the victim as a “bad person,” partly because the victim allegedly insulted the Prophet in conversations with him. “I did not stab him because he is a bad person or because he is Jewish, but because I was hearing voices in my head,” he said.

In 2021, the appellate court imposed TBS with compulsory treatment on F. for stabbing three people at Hollands Spoor station in The Hague on 5 May 2018. The court ruled that there was no terrorist motive and cleared him of that allegation. It concluded that he had acted during a psychosis linked to schizophrenia.

F. did participate in assessments by a psychologist and psychiatrist, and the behavioural experts recommend continuing his current TBS treatment. The prosecutor said she had considered seeking a new TBS order, but noted that this would mean the earlier victims in The Hague would no longer be kept informed about the case’s progress. That consideration ultimately influenced her decision.

The victim is convinced that F. had terrorist motives, according to his victim statement. “I cannot come to terms with it. Even within the walls of the clinic, I was not safe as a Jewish man,” he said through his lawyer. “It is a miracle that I was able to defend myself. The thought that things could have turned out very differently makes me very anxious. For me, no day is the same anymore. I live with lasting scars and the fear that I will be attacked again.”

“The Mesdag Clinic was the scene of a serious incident,” the prosecutor said. “The suspect tried to kill the victim, causing severe damage to the victim’s sense of safety.”

F. is currently detained in Vught prison on the psychiatric care ward. His defense lawyer has called for his prompt transfer back to a TBS clinic so that his treatment can be continued.

The lawyer representing the victim is urging the court to impose a new TBS order on F. He disputes the prosecutor’s reasoning and argues that even with a renewed TBS measure, the victims from The Hague would still be kept updated on developments in the treatment process.

The court will announce its verdict on June 2.