Woman Nearly Strangled - Husband Committed to Psychiatric Hospital - Court Orders Psychiatric Detention After Violent Attack on Estranged Wife
A 43-year-old man was committed to a psychiatric hospital after a violent attack on his estranged wife in Apolda. The court ruled that he attempted manslaughter and caused grievous bodily harm in June 2025. Judges found no prior signs of mental illness before the incident, though he was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
The attack took place after the man, an Afghan national, demanded sex from his sleeping wife. When she refused, he strangled her until their 17-year-old son and older daughter intervened. The two children restrained him and forced him out of the apartment.
The victim spent two days in hospital and continues to suffer psychological trauma. Despite the assault, his wife testified in court that she had forgiven him, calling him a good man and husband.
Before the attack, the man had a history of violence against his wife and altercations with strangers. He often stayed overnight at the family home, even though he was separated from her. Court records showed no prior mental health issues, but doctors suggested his condition may have been triggered by the threat of deportation, which he had faced since March 2024.
The court deemed him a danger to the public and ordered his detention in secure psychiatric care.
The ruling confirms the man will remain in psychiatric custody due to the severity of the attack. His diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia came only after the incident, with no earlier record of mental health problems. The case highlights the lasting impact on his wife, who still faces emotional distress from the assault.
