Trial in Feldkirch

Prison sentence for violent ex-boyfriend

The Afghan was presented in handcuffs.(Bild: Chantal Dorn, Krone KREATIV)

The grace period for a 27-year-old Afghan is over. After another assault in Feldkirch, he is now off to prison. The man had repeatedly attracted attention due to violent outbursts. 

The accused is led into the courtroom in handcuffs by prison guards. It is hard to believe that behind the unassuming-looking fugitive lies a man with a violent temper. Five relevant previous convictions since 2017 show that the Afghan is prone to brutal outbursts of violence. Seven years ago, he was sentenced to a fine for continued violence against his girlfriend. The next relationship also turns into a nightmare for the victim: the man is once again on trial for coercion, assault and damage to property - and once again he is fined.

But the unteachable man carries on. When his last girlfriend, a 22-year-old employee, finally breaks up with the violent brute, he still ambushes her. He even sprays pepper spray in her face. The judge then puts the rod in his window, imposing a conditional prison sentence of four months and an unconditional fine.

Threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend
Once again, the Afghan is unruly. At the end of March, he finally turned up at the young woman's home address in a rage. When her father claimed that the daughter was not there, the accused left, but returned a few hours later, drunk as a skunk. "I'll kill you!" he shouts and tries, fortunately unsuccessfully, to force his way into the apartment. The accused is then arrested and taken into custody.

During the trial, the repeat offender shows himself to be reasonable. "I had drunk a few beers and spirits in a bar. When I got a text message from the ex, it flipped a switch in me. I'm very sorry about everything," argues the 27-year-old. However, public prosecutor Richard Gschwenter does not believe his remorse: "The defendant apologizes and says that it won't happen again. Then it goes well for a short while and the next offense follows. The man is simply unteachable."

Now he's going behind bars for nine months
The council agrees and finds the Afghan guilty of dangerous threats, damage to property and trespassing. This time he receives 15 months in prison, ten of which are suspended. However, the previously suspended sentence of four months in prison was also revoked. That makes a total of nine months behind Swedish bars. In addition, the convict must undergo anti-violence training and probation assistance will also be ordered.