Woman Nearly Strangled - Husband Committed to Psychiatric Hospital - Court Orders Psychiatric Confinement After Near-Fatal Attack on Estranged Wife

A 43-year-old man has been committed to a psychiatric hospital after nearly killing his estranged wife in Apolda in June 2025. The court ruled that his mental illness prevented him from being fully criminally responsible, despite the severity of the attack. His diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia played a key role in the verdict.

The defendant, an Afghan national living in Turkey, had faced an impending deportation since his asylum application was rejected in March 2024. This situation likely worsened his mental state, though he had shown no prior signs of illness before the attack. On the night of the incident, he entered the family home—where he often stayed despite being separated—and demanded sex from his sleeping wife. When she refused, he strangled her until their 17-year-old son and older daughter intervened, restraining him and forcing him out.

The victim spent two days in hospital and continues to suffer psychological trauma. The court determined the act amounted to attempted manslaughter and grievous bodily harm. However, due to his diagnosis and diminished responsibility, the man was acquitted but deemed a danger to the public. He had a history of violence, including past attacks on his wife and public disturbances linked to his delusions.

As a result, he was ordered into secure psychiatric care rather than prison.

The case highlights the intersection of mental health, legal accountability, and public safety. The defendant's condition and lack of prior treatment influenced the court's decision to prioritise psychiatric confinement. His estranged wife and children remain affected by the attack, with long-term consequences for the family.