A Spanish court has begun the terrorism trial of Yassine Kanjaa, a Moroccan man accused of killing a church sacristan and injuring a priest in machete attacks in Algeciras in 2023. Prosecutors seek 50 years in prison, alleging Kanjaa was radicalized and targeted religious figures.
On January 25, 2023, Yassine Kanjaa attacked two churches in Algeciras with a machete, killing a sacristan and wounding a priest, before being arrested trying to enter a third church.
Despite a diagnosis of psychotic disorders, authorities say his mental impairment was not complete. Kanjaa, who had no prior criminal record and entered Spain illegally, will face questioning after eyewitnesses and experts testify.
