News report | 20-01-2026 | 14:52
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) demands TBS with compulsory treatment against a 30-year-old man from Nieuwegein. The man is suspected of stabbing 11-year-old Sohani to death on February 1, 2025, in Nieuwegein. Additionally, the OM suspects the man of assaulting a woman earlier that day.
Sohani had just turned eleven the day before when she was playing in the street with two other young children on February 1, 2025. As the suspect and the victim passed each other, the suspect, without any provocation or other contact, stabbed her multiple times with a knife. Sohani died on the spot. When the police arrived, they found the suspect nearby. He was immediately arrested. Later, a knife was found on top of the shed of the house where the suspect stayed. The knife contained DNA from both the victim and the suspect.
Completely not accountable
It is certain to the OM that the suspect killed Sohani. It can also be proven, according to the OM, that the man assaulted a woman earlier that same day. Whether he can be held responsible for these acts is in question. This relates to his behavior. Shortly after his arrest, the suspect was unable to give a statement because he appeared severely confused. Later, he was able to give a statement and said he stabbed Sohani because he thought she was a demon.
The suspect was examined by multiple experts. This research shows that the suspect suffers from schizophrenia. Experts also found that he was in a psychosis before, during, and after the offense. They judge that his psychosis was so severe that he was no longer able to make rational choices. For that reason, experts consider the man completely not accountable. The OM adopts this judgment from the experts.
Drug use
It is likely that the suspect used drugs before the incident. Because drug use can generally trigger psychoses, the experts investigated to what extent the suspects psychosis stems from his drug use. However, they conclude that the suspects psychosis is independent of and was already present before his drug use. They also conclude that when the suspect is in a psychosis, he can become aggressive even without drug use. Therefore, the suspects drug use does not lead the OM to a situation where there is any degree of accountability.
“Immense impact”
The public prosecutor is clear about the severity of the act. “The 11-year-old Sohani was defenseless against such a person with a monstrous knife,” the prosecutor stated today in court. “Sohani was a gentle and caring girl who dreamed of returning to her country of birth. Now she is buried there. Sohanis death has an immense impact on many people. First and foremost on her parents and family, but also on the residents of Nieuwegein, the involved caregivers, and many others.”
TBS with compulsory treatment
Because the OM finds the suspect completely not accountable, no prison sentence can be demanded. This is only possible if someone can be held responsible for their actions. For someone who is completely not accountable, this is not possible. According to the OM, the suspect was completely driven by his illness in his actions. “She saw a man, he saw a demon,” the prosecutor said.
According to the OM, the suspect is currently a danger to society and the most severe form of treatment is necessary. The OM demands TBS with compulsory treatment of unlimited duration against the 30-year-old suspect from Nieuwegein. This means the suspect will be compulsorily admitted and treated in a closed forensic clinic for as long as necessary.