Ukrainian man arrested after stabbing five in Amsterdam, multiple IDs found
The man responsible for stabbing five people near Amsterdam's Dam Square on Thursday afternoon has been identified as a 30-year-old Ukrainian from the Donetsk region, NOS reports. The police initially struggled to confirm his identity due to the multiple identification documents he was carrying at the time of his arrest. The suspect will be presented to the investigating judge on Tuesday.
The attack occurred at 3:15 p.m. when the suspect reportedly began stabbing victims at random in a busy area of the city center. Four victims remain in the hospital, two with serious injuries. Police say one of the victims has already been discharged. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, and authorities have not yet ruled out any potential scenarios.
Amsterdam’s police force has involved both a heavy crime officer and a counterterrorism officer in the case, emphasizing the need to explore all possibilities. "There is reason to investigate all scenarios immediately," said Chief Prosecutor De Beukelaer.
The suspect, who was wounded during the attack, was treated in a hospital before being taken into custody. Following the assault, the man was apprehended by a British tourist, who tackled him and held him down until police arrived.
The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, expressed her gratitude for the bystander's actions, saying she would meet with him to personally thank him for his bravery.
