This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
On June 20, 2020, a devastating terror attack shook the town of Reading, leaving three people dead and many more injured. The suspect behind the attack, Khairi Saadallah, 25, had a troubled past marked by mental health issues.
According to official documents, Saadallah was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and an emotionally unstable personality disorder. These conditions were not only a concern for his mental well-being but also had a significant impact on his daily life, including struggles with debt, homelessness, and alcohol misuse.
Despite being granted asylum in Britain after fleeing the Libyan civil war, Saadallah's mental health issues continued to plague him. Intelligence agencies have suggested that mental health may have played a significant role in the attack, rather than extremist motivations.
At the time of his arrest, Saadallah was living in temporary accommodation in a block of flats on Basingstoke Road in Reading. His neighbors described him as a quiet and normal person who seemed to be struggling with his mental health issues.
David Townsend, the chief operating officer of Berkshire Healthcare NHS foundation trust, expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, stating,
