Prosecutors suspect ‘terrorist motive’ in Amsterdam stabbing that injured 2 Americans
A man who went on a stabbing spree in Amsterdam last week, injuring five people, including two Americans, is believed to have had a “terrorist motive,” Dutch prosecutors revealed on Tuesday. The suspect, a 30-year-old Ukrainian from the Donetsk region, was apprehended by police on Thursday after a bystander managed to overpower him.
According to Reuters, the man is facing five counts of attempted murder or manslaughter with a terrorist motive. The victims of the attack in the shopping district were a 69-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman from the U.S., a 73-year-old woman from Belgium, a 26-year-old man from Poland, and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema expressed her condolences to the victims and their families, stating that the police investigation is ongoing to uncover the background of the incident. The suspect had checked into a hotel in Amsterdam the day before the attack, as reported by Reuters.
The Polish victim has been discharged from the hospital, while the other victims remain in stable condition and are receiving medical care. The U.S. State Department confirmed that two American citizens were among those injured in the attack.
The safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad are a top priority for the U.S. Department of State, and they are closely monitoring the situation in Amsterdam. The department extended sympathies to the victims and their families affected by the tragic incident.
The incident in Amsterdam comes in the wake of another knife attack in Germany where two people were killed. The rise in such violent incidents is a cause for concern and requires heightened vigilance and security measures to ensure the safety of citizens both domestically and abroad.
In conclusion, the authorities are working diligently to investigate the motive behind the Amsterdam stabbing and bring the perpetrator to justice. The support and solidarity of the international community are crucial in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of individuals worldwide.
