Trial for Murder of Swedish Foreign Minister Under Way

January 14, 2004

The trial for murder of Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh began at 9:15 in Stockholm this morning. (3:15 am ET) Twenty-five year-old Mijailo Mijailovic has admitted attacking Anna Lindh in the NK department store in downtown Stockholm on September 10, 2003, but denies he planned the crime or intended to kill her. She died from stab wounds in the early morning of September 11^th.

Due to the strength of the evidence and his confession, the trial is ultimately expected to focus on Mr. Mijailovic's mental health and the question of intent, which will play a role in defining the crime and determining the sentence. Relatives have stated they hope he receives psychiatric treatment. The penalty for manslaughter is 6-10 years. The penalty for murder is 10 years to life.

Eye witness accounts led to recognition of a man whose image had been captured by NK security cameras; thereafter referred to as "The NK Man." After the arrest of a suspect who matched the description, police initially ignored a tip identifying Mijailovic, contending it impossible because the assailant was already under arrest. The initial suspect was eventually released and Mijailovic taken into custody.

The murder weapon and items of clothing worn by the assailant were recovered soon after the crime. Analysis of hair, fiber, blood, and finger prints provided a positive match to both Anna Lindh and Mijailo Mijailovic. Once the physical evidence established Mijailovic as The NK Man, he decided to confess, saying he wanted to end speculation that the attack might have been politically motivated.

Details of his confession and public statements by his lawyer Peter Althin present a man with serious psychiatric problems on strong prescription drugs who had sought further care but was denied; once going so far as to explain a morbid obsession with well known politicians. He carried the knife out of fear. After recognizing Anna Lindh as she entered NK, he wandered through the store as voices in his head told him to attack.

Prosecutor Agneta Blidberg described the crime in court this morning, supported by physical evidence and eye witness accounts, including the response of close friend Eva Franchell who confronted and punched the assailant before he ran away. Prosecutors contend that the 14 minutes that passed between the time Mijailovic recognized Anna Lindh and the attack provided sufficient time for planning and proves intent.

Speculation that the crime may have been politically motivated has been built on Mijailovic's Serbian national background. Film has surfaced showing him "following the movements" of Liberal Party leader Lars Leijonborg during a public appearance. Both Leijonborg and Lindh had publicly expressed support for the bombing of Serbia.