Amsterdam stabbing likely terrorist incident; Two Americans hurt: Authorities
Authorities in the Netherlands say terrorism appears to be the motive behind the stabbing of two Americans at Amsterdam Centraal train station on Friday afternoon. Police shot the suspect, 19-year-old Afghan Jawed S., after the incident and authorities were quick to suggest terrorism was a possibility.
"From the suspect's initial statements, it appears terrorism was his motive," the city said in a joint statement with police and the Justice Ministry on Saturday. He will be brought in front of a court on Monday to determine if Dutch authorities may keep him in custody. He is being kept in solitary confinement, and is allowed to maintain contact with his attorney, the statement noted.
Dutch authorities are still investigating the suspect's background, and are working with officials in Germany as Jawed S. holds a residency permit issued by that country. Several electronic devices were seized so investigators could examine the data, authorities said.
"Thanks to the alert and rapid intervention of officers at Central Station, immediate action was possible," authorities said. "The firm actions of the police yesterday show that Amsterdam is prepared for these kinds of incidents."
No additional security measures will be enacted in Amsterdam because of the incident, the officials decided after consultation with the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism.
Neither the victims nor the suspect had life threatening injuries after treatment in the hospital.
