The deadly attack on a police officer in Brussels was carried out by a terrorist suspect. The man was on a terror list of the Belgian authorities, the public prosecutor announced at a press conference in Brussels on Friday morning. The 23-year-old stabbed two police officers in a patrol car on Thursday evening. A 29-year-old police officer later died in hospital from his injuries.
His 23-year-old colleague was first taken to the emergency room and operated on overnight. His condition is currently stable, a spokesman said. The attacker was then hit by multiple shots from summoned reinforcements.
Prime Minister: “Thoughts to family and friends”
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased official,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo tweeted. He hopes the other cop who was taken to the hospital is okay. The Belgian Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden spoke on Twitter of a “terrible drama”. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, wrote that she was shocked by the murder of a police officer on duty.
Suspect was previously taken to a psychiatric hospital
In connection with the crime, the prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday evening that a person had stated at a police station on Thursday morning that he wanted to attack the police. The person was escorted to a psychiatric ward and handed over to staff there. When officials later contacted the facility again, it was found that the person had again left the hospital.
In March 2016, Islamist-motivated attacks took place in Brussels. The attacks at Brussels airport and a metro station killed a total of 32 people and injured 340 others. Since then, there have been a number of attacks on police officers or soldiers in Belgium.
Last attack on officials in May 2018
Most recently, in May 2018, there was an attack on police officers classified as terrorists. At the time, a man in Liège killed two police officers and a student while shouting “Allahu akbar”. The attacker was shot dead by police officers. In August 2017, a man attacked soldiers with a knife in the center of Brussels. He was also shot.
In August 2016, an Algerian man in Charleroi attacked two female police officers outside a police station while shouting “Allahu akbar”, wounding their faces and necks before being shot dead. The jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the crime.
“Allahu Akbar” as battle cry
Jihadists and Salafists often use the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar” as a kind of battle cry. In fact, it is a central religious formula of Islam that has been used by Muslims worldwide for centuries.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
