According to preliminary findings published by the prosecutor’s office on Monday afternoon, the 25-year-old was carrying two knives at that time.
Subsequently, several people on the pitch managed to chase and immobilise the attacker. At that point, he was no longer considered to represent a threat. The man had also thrown his knives to the ground shortly before being overpowered.
According to the investigation, one of the people who helped pin down the attacker then took one of the knives and stabbed the defenceless man several times. He also allegedly hit him with a stone.
The person delivering the blows, a 22-year-old man, was subsequently arrested and presented to an examining magistrate on Saturday, 21 January 2023. Following the interrogation, the man was charged with, among other things, manslaughter. The examining magistrate issued a detention warrant for the accused, who was then transferred to Sanem for pre-trial confinement.
The statement from the prosecutor’s office stresses that the investigation by the police is still ongoing and that many verifications remain to be made. The prosecution further underlined that any person subject to a criminal investigation or procedure is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final decision of the competent court.
According to Claude Kréimer, president of the club’s youth commission, training at Jeunesse Esch is set to resume on Monday. Trainers and coaching staff present at the scene on Friday have been changed temporarily.
Ten children who witnessed the deadly incident on Friday are said to have already been treated by the psychological services of the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS).
