Adil Lazizi was sentenced to 21 years in prison in a case heard in Zaragoza for the murder of a young French woman in 2001. The crime occurred in the San José district after Lazizi took advantage of a prison leave to avoid returning to confinement and to hide in his girlfriend’s residence. The prosecution sought a longer term, requesting 25 years for a brutal crime carried out on the building landing.
The case centers on the fatal assault of a 33-year-old woman in her home, a tragedy that occurred at 21:43 on Calle Alegría, house number 8, in Zaragoza. Prosecutors describe the act as murder marked by brutality and cruelty, with the court considering these factors as aggravating elements that support a heavy sentence. The request also includes a demand for compensation totaling 240,000 euros to be paid to the victim’s parents and siblings. In addition, the office asked for an extra ten years for an offense linked to desertion that affected the assigned sentence.
All of the above is grounded in findings from the Aragon Superior Police Homicide Group. The official documents note that there was no recorded relationship between the victim and the accused beyond a neighborhood association at the time of the events.
According to the prosecution, when Cristina returned to her home on May 30 of the previous year, Lazizi approached her as she opened the door. He wore a hat, carried a 20-centimeter kitchen knife, and had his hands covered with kitchen gloves. He followed her inside, bringing a plastic bag, a backpack, and keys to her residence. The prosecution states that there was no prior hostility or conflict, yet Lazizi suddenly attacked with the knife. Cristina is said to have fought back, discarding the keys and bag on the floor as she attempted to resist.
The trial record emphasizes the violence and the lack of warning, noting that the victim faced a sudden, lethal assault while she attempted to defend herself on the landing of the building. The scene is described as one of intense struggle, with the victim showing strong resistance to the attack.
Fatal blood loss
The case concludes with the fatal injuries sustained on the same landing where neighbors heard cries for help and found the victim a short time later. The consequences of the stabbing proved fatal due to significant blood loss.
In the coming days, the Zaragoza Court is expected to render a verdict after presenting the case to a popular jury. Lazizi has given statements to the homicide squad and the court, asserting that there was no relationship with the victim beyond a neighborhood connection and that he had a girlfriend. He described his actions as part of a routine that ended in tragedy, claiming that he acted unexpectedly after a knock at the door. The defense has indicated that the defendant will address the charges directly in court, seeking to clarify the events as they unfold.