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Bloemfontein — Danish national Peter Frederiksen, who is accused of genital mutilation, says he is suffering from depression since his arrest and is worried about his children’s safety.
Frederiksen took the stand in his bail application in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court yesterday after pleading not guilty to nine charges including assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, manufacturing of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography, conspiracy to murder and bigamy.
He told the court he would have no witnesses who could testify in his favour, because the only one who would have been able to do so was his wife, who was killed in a suspected hit last month.
Frederiksen also told the court that ever since he was arrested he had been suffering from depression.
“I’m still depressed for someone in my condition,” he said.
“After I was arrested I was worried about my children’s safety.”
While his lawyer, Nthama Litabe, was still cross-examining him, Prosecutor Amanda Bester accused Frederiksen of reading out answers from his notes.
The magistrate requested that Frederiksen’s notes to be checked. The defence did not object. After a break of about 10 minutes, Frederiksen returned to the stand no longer holding the notes.
Frederiksen allegedly sliced off the sexual organs and kept them in the freezer as trophies.
Last month, his wife, Anna Matseliso Molise, 28, who assisted the police with information about him, was shot dead in her home country of Lesotho, in what the Hawks described as a suspected hit.
She reportedly refused to be placed in a witness protection programme.
The couple have two children.
The hearing continues.
Online Reporter