A crazed stalker who hacked a student and her flatmate to death with a pocketknife after she reported him to police has gone on trial in Germany.
Eritrean asylum seeker Hussein M., 30, slaughtered the terrified pair at their home in Elmshorn, Schleswig-Holstein, in a frenzied attack, say prosecutors.
Victim Zahra H., 23, was stabbed 18 times in her chest, stomach, and liver in the attack in July 2022.
Prosecutors say Hussein M. shredded her intestines as he slashed at her with the nine-centimetre (3.5-inch) blade.
Zahra’s flatmate Yusra B., 19, was stabbed 20 times with the same blade, Itzehoe District Court heard on 4th January.
Accused Hussein M. became obsessed with Zahra after meeting her following his arrival in Germany five years ago.
Despite living more than 500 miles from her in Tuttlingen, he continued to show up at her apartment, the court heard.
A friend of the two victims Soaad Ibrahim, 38, told the court how he threatened to kill Zahra after turning up outside her apartment and demanding to be let in.
He then threatened Zahra on WhatsApp, saying: “I’ll kill you!”
Prosecutors told the courts: “She had pulled back from him. He felt taken advantage of and offended by both women.”
Forensic experts reported that Zahra’s ribs were also broken in the attack, indicating that he had beaten her.
The two women were found dead by police officers the same day, while Hussein M. was arrested soon after.
He reportedly remained silent at the beginning of the trial, which is set to continue on 23rd January.
A total of eight hearings are booked until the end of the trial, which is scheduled for 24th February.
