Casablanca — Italian prosecutors have charged Salim El Koudri, the man accused of driving a car into pedestrians in Modena, with multiple acts of violence, but not terrorism, according to converging Italian media reports.
The incident happened on Saturday, May 16, when a car drove onto a sidewalk in the northern Italian city and hit several people before crashing into a shop window. While no deaths were reported, eight people were injured, four of them seriously.
El Koudri, a 31-year-old Italian man of Moroccan origin, was arrested after trying to flee the scene. Police said he was stopped by passers-by after the crash. He then pulled out a knife and injured one of them slightly.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said Monday that investigators had found no sign linking El Koudri to terrorist groups. He told Il Giornale that there were no indications of structured Islamist radicalization and that searches of the suspect’s phone had not revealed elements matching the profile of a terrorist planning violent acts.
Authorities said El Koudri was born and raised in Italy and had previously received treatment for mental health problems. Piantedosi said he had been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder and had expressed resentment over his work and social condition.
The interior ministry had earlier pointed to a psychiatric element in the case. But Italian media reported Tuesday that the investigating judge said there was no evidence, at this stage, showing the attack was caused by his mental health problems. The judge also said there was no indication that El Koudri was unable to understand or control his actions.
The judge ordered him to be placed under observation, with a possible transfer to specialized facilities.
Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti said after the incident that it appeared the driver had deliberately driven onto the sidewalk and hit several people. Two of the injured were airlifted to a hospital in Bologna, around 40 kilometers from Modena.
Regional health officials said Tuesday that a 55-year-old victim had regained consciousness, while a 53-year-old woman remained in serious but stable condition. One woman seriously wounded in the crash had both legs amputated.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the injured and their families, saying the person responsible should be held fully accountable. The case also drew comments from League leader Matteo Salvini, who referred to the suspect’s North African origins.
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