Bouanane sentenced to life for terrorist attack in Turku

Abderrahman Bouanane, who sought asylum in Finland from Morocco, was convicted of murdering two women and injuring eight others during a stabbing spree in Turku’s market square in August 2017. He received a life sentence for two counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder carried out for terrorist motives. The new book by Veli-Pekka Lehtola, titled “Rikosasianajaja Kaarle Gummerus,” presents surprising details about Bouanane and the events surrounding the attack.

Kaarle Gummerus, Bouanane’s defense attorney, was not the first to be approached for assistance; others had declined. Gummerus, with decades of legal experience, found himself navigating unprecedented legal territory, as this was Finland’s first case involving suspected and convicted terrorism. Bouanane’s initial meeting with Gummerus in a hospital revealed his distressed state, as he was shackled to the bed and asked, “Will I be executed?” Gummerus reassured him that Finland does not carry out the death penalty.

The trial, held under strict security measures, involved Bouanane being separated from his lawyers and wearing handcuffs. His unpredictable behavior in court surprised Gummerus, who noted a stark shift from a calm demeanor to disruptive outbursts. Bouanane openly expressed his violent intentions and disdain for women, with his attack victims predominantly being female.

Despite his life sentence, Bouanane has attempted to transfer to a Moroccan prison to serve his sentence but later retracted his requests. In the summer of 2023, nearly six years post-attack, he expressed a desire to apologize to his victims and their families, although Gummerus declined to convey this apology on his behalf. The complexities of Bouanane’s case underscore ongoing discussions about legal and societal responses to terrorism in Finland.