Article By Thomas Brooke
A 28-year-old Eritrean man who indiscriminately targeted three people in the street, including an elderly woman, told Swedish police that he attacked his victims because he sometimes had uncontrollable thoughts and urges to hurt others, a court in Eskilstuna has heard.
The migrant, Ahmed Mohammed Omar Salim, is on trial for a series of assaults in the Skiftinge district of Eskilstuna. He has confessed to the attacks, which prosecutors say were carried out without provocation, and a verdict is expected next month following a trial held at Eskilstuna District Court.
According to court documents and testimony cited by Samnytt, the first incident took place on June 19 last year, when Salim kicked a man who was cycling with his children. Police were called, questioned Salim at the scene, and released him. In a later interview conducted with an interpreter, Salim admitted that he “was out for a walk to get some fresh air and wasn’t feeling well mentally, and that’s when it happened.”
The second attack occurred on Dec. 7 and targeted a 75-year-old woman who was waiting for a bus. Salim kicked her on the knee, causing her to fall forward and sustain a head injury that left a hole in her forehead and substantial blood spatter on the sidewalk. She was taken to hospital by ambulance and required several stitches. Since the assault, the woman has reportedly become anxious and constantly looks around when she is outside.
Just one day later, despite increased police presence in the area, officers witnessed Salim pass a woman in the street moments before hearing her cry out. When they looked back, the 42-year-old victim was on the ground. Salim attempted to flee but was arrested shortly afterward. Police established that he had kicked the woman in the stomach.
During questioning after his arrest, Salim told police, “I don’t want to say anything. Sometimes I get sick when I walk next to people, and something comes to my head and I can’t control myself.”
Salim admits carrying out all three attacks but denies intent. The charges include two counts of assault and one count of minor assault. All three victims are plaintiffs in the case.
While in custody, Salim underwent an initial psychiatric assessment and will now be subjected to a full forensic psychiatric examination. Under Swedish law, a finding that he suffered from a serious mental disorder at the time of the offenses would preclude a prison sentence.
The defendant reportedly arrived in Sweden back in 2018 — it is unclear whether he claimed asylum, but he told the court he had come to work. He has, however, been receiving sick pay most recently for stress and insomnia.
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