Associated Press | 04.17.08
FRANKFURT, Germany - A 23-year-old German Muslim went on trial Thursday for stabbing a rabbi in Frankfurt, telling a court that he felt threatened by the rabbi and had acted in self-defense.
Defendant Sajed Aziz testified that the Frankfurt-based rabbi, Zalman Gurevitch, approached him in a threatening manner on a street in the city in September. He said he reacted by pulling a knife and stabbing the rabbi, but did not intend to kill him.
Prosecutors have said the rabbi told authorities at the time of the attack that his assailant said, "I'll kill you, you (expletive) Jew," then pulled out a knife with a 7.6-centimeter (3-inch) blade and stabbed him in the stomach.
A German citizen born of Afghan parents, Aziz faces charges of attempted manslaughter, dangerous bodily harm and invasion of privacy. He has denied that the attack had an anti-Semitic motive.
Aziz has been held in custody since his arrest due to his criminal record, which includes another case of causing bodily harm.
The attack prompted concern and condemnation from local politicians and Jewish groups.
A verdict in the trial is expected on May 17.
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