Finnish knife attack treated as terrorism, police say

World
Europe

· Stabbing spree now treated as terrorism

· 2 dead, 8 injured

· Suspect identified as an 18-year-old Moroccan man

‍Finnish police are investigating Friday's stabbing rampage by a knife-wielding man who killed two people and wounded eight in the city of Turku, southwest Finland, as a terrorist act.

The suspect, who was arrested within minutes after the stabbing spree, was identified as an 18-year-old Moroccan man, police added, without revealing his name.

Another four Moroccans were detained and a warrant has been issued for a fifth.

The suspect was shot in the thigh and currently in hospital receiving treatment.

He had sought asylum in Finland and his application was still under process when he committed the crime, the police said at a press conference in Turku.

The two people killed were Finnish nationals and an Italian and two Swedish citizens were among the injured.

"Due to information received during the night, the Turku stabbings are now being investigated as murders with terrorist intent," the National Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

The attack took place in the Puutori-Market Square area of Turku after 4:00 p.m. local time and ended in a matter of minutes with the assailant's arrest.

A witness said she saw a man stabbing a woman and others weeping over what they had seen after running away in terror.

Police officers detain the suspect who was shot in the thigh in the Finnish city of Turku where several people were stabbed, on August 18, 2017. / AFP Photo

"The act is utterly deplorable and an exceptionally serious violent offense in the Finnish context – it is deeply shocking for us all," Prime Minister Juha Sipila said in a statement after holding a conference call with his government.

Security was beefed up nationwide with increased patrols and more surveillance in case more people were involved.

The attack came after two deadly car rampages in Spain that killed 14 people and injured 130 others. ISIL has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Finland has not seen attacks that have previously rocked France, the UK, Belgium and Germany.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker condemned the attack.

"It is with great concern that I have learned of the violent attacks in Turku, Finland. While details are still emerging, we strongly condemn this unprovoked attack which came only 24 hours after the horror that unfolded in Spain."

(With inputs from Reuters)