The man who shot dead four passengers on a tram in Utrecht a year ago is going on trial this week accused of carrying out a terrorist attack.

Gökmen Tanis, 38, faces four charges of murder or manslaughter of a terrorist nature, as well as 17 counts of making terrorist threats.

The shootings took place on a packed commuter tram in Utrecht on the morning of March 18, 2019. Prosecutors say Tanis confessed to the crime within days of being arrested, but lawyers are likely to dispute the alleged terrorist motive.

He was assigned a lawyer by the court in December after a psychological report concluded he had low mental capacity and diminished responsibility. Tanis has refused to attend previous court hearings and said he would not recognise the Dutch courts or accept legal support.

The trial will begin with a digital reconstruction of the events surrounding the shooting, as well as an outline of Tanis’s personal situation. Victims will be given a chance to speak on Monday and Tuesday before the prosecution submits its sentencing demands on Thursday. Tanis’s defence team will then respond to the charges. The verdict is due to be delivered on March 20.