A teenager is set to stand trial in Zurich after allegedly carrying out a knife attack that left an Orthodox Jewish man with life-threatening injuries, in a case that has intensified concerns over rising antisemitism in the city.
The accused, who was 15 at the time of the incident in March 2024, faces multiple charges of attempted murder, according to the Youth Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors also allege that he attempted to enter a synagogue prior to the attack with the intention of killing Jewish worshippers.
Further charges include supporting a criminal organisation and inciting discrimination and hatred. Authorities have declined to comment on the specific sentence being sought.
The defendant remains in a closed institution. Proceedings will take place before the Youth Court in Dielsdorf, likely reflecting his place of residence at the time of the offence. In line with Swiss law, hearings in youth courts are not open to the public, and a trial date has yet to be confirmed.
The attack occurred on 2 March 2024, when the teenager, described as a Swiss national of Tunisian origin, allegedly stabbed an Orthodox Jewish man in the street in Zurich. The victim sustained severe injuries and was reportedly in a life-threatening condition.
Investigators believe the suspect had been radicalised online and had expressed support for the so-called “Islamic State”.
The incident triggered strong reactions from political figures. Zurich’s Director of Security, Mario Fehr, called for the perpetrator to be stripped of his citizenship. The attack has been described as the most serious in a series of antisemitic incidents reported in the city in recent months.
Other cases have further highlighted the trend. Just weeks ago, a 27-year-old man appeared in court after being found loitering with a knife outside a synagogue and assaulting a Jewish teenager. In February, a 40-year-old man attacked an individual identifiable as an Orthodox Jew in the street, reportedly making antisemitic remarks at the time of his arrest.
In a separate case last year in Winterthur, a man was prosecuted after declaring his intention to stab someone in what he referred to as the “Jewish quarter”.
Many of these incidents have taken place in the districts of Enge and Wiedikon, areas known for their Orthodox Jewish communities.
The upcoming trial is expected to draw close attention, as authorities grapple with the dual challenges of youth radicalisation and a rise in antisemitic violence.
