Mental health problems identified as stronger femicide predictor than migration background

◆1 source

The death of 29-year-old Hajar in Amsterdam remained unclear, but she was believed to have been the victim of femicide. The chief suspect was identified as 23-year-old Abdi A., a Somali national with a residence permit. During a press conference, Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema warned that details about the suspect’s background could fuel an ongoing political debate. Right-wing politicians had focused on his origin, as they had after the killing of Lisa the previous year.

According to an interim assessment by Leiden University professor Marieke Liem’s Femicide Monitor, about half of the perpetrators studied had a migration background, but this was not a decisive predictor of femicide. A history involving mental-health care and previous contact with the police or justice system appeared more relevant. The researchers found that only a very small number of suspects had been staying in an asylum seekers’ centre since 2014. About half of the victims also had a migration background, while cases involving honour-related revenge were described as uncommon in recent years. The research is continuing, with final results expected in two years.

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Crime

Investigation into the killing of Hajar in Amsterdam

17 sources

Hajar, 29, was reported missing after she left the area around Amsterdam RAI on 4 October with a man on a bicycle towards Buitenveldert. Her body was found in a suitcase in the Amstel near the Amsteldijk on 16 October. Police said she was killed shortly after she disappeared and now confirm that she was killed in an anti-squat former school building on De Klencke in Buitenveldert. The investigation at the building is continuing. Police arrested a 23-year-old man with Somali nationality and no fixed address in connection with her death. He had initially been treated as a witness after being seen with Hajar, but police said further investigation made him a suspect. He was arrested in Spierdijk after police responded to a violent incident at a house; a man was injured. The suspect is being held under restrictions, and police say the investigation into what happened and his possible role continues.

Crime

Arrest in the killing of Hajar in Amsterdam

5 sources

Police arrested a 23-year-old suspect in connection with the violent death of Hajar, a 29-year-old woman from Amsterdam. Mayor Femke Halsema offered condolences to Hajar’s family and neighbours, and said the family had spent nearly two weeks between hope and fear before the worst outcome emerged. A representative assisting the family said its members are relieved that a suspect was arrested but remain deeply shocked and in mourning, and requested privacy. Halsema praised the police investigation and said speculation about the suspect’s background should await the facts of the inquiry. One report said the suspect came to the Netherlands at age six and holds a permanent residence permit. Halsema compared the case with the killing of 17-year-old Lisa in Duivendrecht the previous year, said the cases cause fear among women, and said Amsterdam will continue measures intended to improve women’s safety.

Crime

Murder suspect visited former foster parents before arrest

2 sources

Abdi A., the 23-year-old suspect in the killing of 29-year-old Hajar, visited his former foster parents in Spierdijk shortly before his arrest. He had not been with his stepfather for years. A witness saw him holding a hammer while facing his former foster mother and described him as very angry. The reports do not state what happened after that encounter.

Politics

Van Weel and Halsema discuss Hamas-supporting banners at Amsterdam demonstration

8 sources

Justice and Security Minister David van Weel and Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema discussed a demonstration on Dam Square on 7 October at which protesters displayed banners supporting Hamas. Van Weel had initially questioned why the demonstration was allowed to continue, describing the expressions as unacceptable and saying he saw an escalation in demonstrations. Halsema said the expressions were shocking and distasteful but that the municipality could not intervene because they were not criminal offences. The public prosecutor's office and Amsterdam's mayor, police and prosecutor consultation body said the expressions were not punishable. After their meeting, Van Weel said he understood that allowing the demonstration to continue had been the only option under the current legal framework, and acknowledged that he should have contacted Halsema before parliamentary question time. He continues to call on the House of Representatives to swiftly consider legislation criminalising the glorification of terrorism, while Halsema said such legislation raises questions over its definition and scope.