DRESDEN, Germany: A medical expert testified Tuesday that a knife attack on a 31-year-old Marwa Al-Sherbini in a German court room caused serious injuries and left her with just minutes to live.
Christine Erfurt was giving evidence in the trial of alleged attacker Alexander Wiens, who is accused of smuggling a 18-centimeter (seven inch) kitchen knife into the same Dresden court room in July and stabbing Al-Sherbini to death.
Erfurt told the court Tuesday that an autopsy revealed al-Sherbini was stabbed 16 times and suffered serious injuries to her internal organs, including her lungs and heart.
She must have been stabbed with considerable force, Erfurt said, noting that several of her ribs had been severed by the knife. She said the victim had no chance of survival.
Wiens – whom authorities had previously identified only by his last initial in accordance with German media regulations – has been charged with murder, attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm. A verdict is expected Nov. 11.
On the trial s opening day Monday, Al-Sherbini’s husband Elwy Ali Okaz described the attack for the court, saying the suspect continued to stab his wife even after she had fallen. Okaz was also injured trying to protect his wife. -AP
