BrusselsA police officer was stabbed and died in the Aarschotstraat in Brussels on Thursday evening. The perpetrator, who was staying in the country illegally, was shot by other officers. The federal prosecutor’s office has opened a terror investigation. For example, the man would have announced his act earlier in the day.
A patrol was attacked in Aarschotstraat around 7:15 p.m. The suspect stabbed the two officers, but they were still able to call for reinforcements. “An inspector from a patrol that had come into reinforcements then used his firearm to neutralize the attacker. Both the two injured inspectors and the attacker were taken to hospital.” A witness saw the incident happen. “He stabbed the officers while walking. Then I heard 5 or 6 shots,” it sounds.
It may be an act of terror. According to witnesses, the perpetrator would have shouted ‘Allah Akbar’, although the public prosecutor cannot confirm this for the time being. He would have been hit in the leg and stomach himself. The federal prosecutor’s office has in any case opened a terror investigation. That confirms spokesman Eric Van der Sypt.
The officer who was stabbed in the neck — according to police union VSOA a man of barely 20 years young — has since died. His colleague is said to be in the intensive care unit. Contrary to previous reports, the perpetrator is still alive.
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Remarkably enough, the perpetrator would have presented himself earlier in the day at the police station in Evere. There he would have announced that he would kill police officers. He was then interrogated, but released again by the competent public prosecutor.
Perimeter
Several streets were closed as part of the investigation. “A perimeter has been established and several investigations have been ordered to find out exactly what happened,” confirms prosecutor Sarah Durant.
“Unbearable drama tonight in Brussels”, Brussels mayor Philippe Close responds on Twitter. “We are in solidarity with the police services. The police protect us and must be protected. My thoughts are with the families and their colleagues.”
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Dear politicians, dear Justice, you can be sure: we will react hard
Meanwhile, Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden also responded. “Terrible drama and heartbreaking news,” it sounds on Twitter. “My thoughts are first of all with the relatives, the members of the police zone and the entire police organisation. I am closely monitoring the situation and I am in close contact with the mayor, the chief of police and the security services. This violence against our people is unacceptable.”
Police union VSOA has meanwhile reacted sharply to the attack. “A young, motivated colleague of 20 years died today as a result of senseless violence against the police,” it sounds. “And the politicians, as usual, will strongly condemn the facts, and tomorrow they will look the other way. As they have been doing for decades.”
According to the union, the judiciary also has a “crushing” responsibility. “The years of impunity in Brussels and other major cities means that perpetrators of violence against the police and other aid workers have little to fear. The judiciary is not yet able to collect the correct figures of violence against the police, let alone that it is a priority for them. Dear politicians, dear Justice, you can be sure: we will react strongly.”
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