Title: Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Brutal Stabbing Attack on Mother of Three
Gävle, Sweden – In a shocking turn of events, Mohammed Altaha, an Iraqi citizen and husband of a mother of three, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for the brutal murder of his wife. The verdict was delivered by the Gävle district court, and the previous sentence of 14 years was increased by the Court of Appeal. Additionally, the Court of Appeal lifted the lifetime deportation previously imposed on Altaha.
The tragic incident took place on February 6, 2019. At 16:13 in the afternoon, a police incident report indicated disturbing details about the crime scene in a Gävle stairwell. The report stated that there was “blood everywhere,” with “walls smeared with blood.” Further descriptions revealed that the victim, a woman in her 30s, had sustained injuries to her back and arms, as well as numerous stitch wounds.
At 17:16, an update to the report confirmed the devastating news that the woman had succumbed to her injuries. It was later revealed that the attack began in an elevator before she managed to escape to the stairwell, where a neighbor discovered her and promptly alerted emergency services.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Mohammed Altaha, who had returned to the couple’s apartment after the heinous crime. However, he was released after a month of detention due to insufficient evidence. In November 2022, new technical evidence prompted the police to re-arrest Altaha, leading to his recent conviction.
In May 2023, the Gävle district court sentenced Altaha to 14 years in prison for murder, alongside lifetime deportation. However, following an appeal, the Court of Appeal reviewed the case and decided to increase Altaha’s prison sentence to 16 years while also canceling his deportation order.
The Court of Appeal justified the longer sentence by highlighting the use of a large knife in a confined space, leaving the victim with limited opportunities for escape or self-defense. Furthermore, they emphasized that the crime was committed against a close relative, depriving three children of their mother. The court stated that no mitigating circumstances were found in Altaha’s favor.
The deportation cancellation was based on Altaha’s conversion from Islam to Christianity, raising concerns that his return to Iraq would expose him to the risk of persecution or even death.
The Gävle community and the victim’s family hope that this verdict will bring some form of closure and justice to the devastating loss they have endured. The case serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences that domestic violence can have on families and the urgent need for comprehensive support systems to address such issues in society.