A transgender asylum seeker from Syria was stabbed and left unconscious at an asylum reception center in the Dutch city of Leiden after allegedly being chased for half an hour by another resident armed with a knife.
As reported by Gelderlander, the attack took place last weekend at the Leiden asylum seekers’ center, where the 24-year-old victim, identified as Danial, was stabbed multiple times, including in the face.
Danial, described by the advocacy group LGBT Asylum Support as an “extremely vulnerable” transgender asylum seeker, had allegedly been pursued by another resident holding a knife before the attack unfolded.
According to Sandro Kortekaas, chairman of LGBT Asylum Support, the suspect followed the victim for roughly 30 minutes before the confrontation escalated. Danial reportedly attempted to take refuge in a room where a woman and three young children were present, but the attacker continued the assault, striking her repeatedly and leaving her unconscious with a bloodied face.
Kortekaas claimed that while the woman in the room cried out for help, other residents and security personnel failed to intervene. Only after the injured victim managed to reach the reception area, leaving a trail of blood, did security staff contact police.
According to the Geenstijl news outlet, the perpetrator allegedly shouted abuse at the victim, including, “You filthy faggot, you pig. You’re worthless. I’ll show you something. You’ll pay for this. You’re filthy and unclean.”
Police arrested a suspect on Sunday evening, although it remains unclear whether he is still in custody.
According to Kortekaas, the incident came just two days after the victim had reported the same man to security staff and the Dutch Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) for allegedly sexually assaulting her in an elevator. The suspect had allegedly been harassing the victim for several days.
Kortekaas claimed security personnel warned that confronting the suspect could increase his aggression. The COA declined to comment on the allegation but said it takes all complaints from residents seriously and acts when necessary.
“We do not recognize the criticism that complaints from residents and incidents at this location are not taken seriously,” a spokesperson said. “We take all reports from asylum seekers seriously and take action if necessary.”
The Leiden facility is located in a converted office building and houses a small number of LGBT asylum seekers, who advocates say frequently feel unsafe in shared accommodations.
Kortekaas said that discrimination against LGBT residents at the facility is widespread.
“There is structural verbal and non-verbal discrimination by a vast majority of fellow residents, such as spitting on the floor at the few queer residents,” he said.
