German prosecutors demand life in prison for man who killed Egyptian woman in court

Associated Press

Last update: November 9, 2009 - 5:00 AM

DRESDEN, Germany - Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for a man who has admitted to fatally stabbing a pregnant Egyptian in a German court in a case that triggered outrage across the Muslim world.

Prosecutor Frank Heinrich said in closing arguments Monday in a Dresden state court that the suspect acted out of hatred for foreigners and deserved to be convicted and given the maximum penalty.

Alexander Wiens admitted to stabbing Marwa al-Sherbini to death after a hearing in July. The 32-year-old mother was testifying against him on charges he had insulted her with racial slurs.

The 28-year-old Russian-born Wiens said he had not planned to kill her and had no xenophobic motivation.

A verdict and sentence are expected Wednesday.

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