Terrorism formally suspected in Amsterdam stabbing attack that left five wounded
Dutch authorities are formally treating terrorism as a likely motive in the stabbing attack that left five people wounded near Amsterdam’s Dam Square on Thursday. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) stated that the suspect, a 30-year-old Ukrainian from the Donetsk region, is being investigated for five counts of attempted murder or manslaughter with terrorist intent.
It was the first glimpse into the motive of last week's attack since Justice Minister David van Weel said terrorism could not be ruled out. In an initial hearing on the state of the investigation, an examining magistrate said there was enough evidence to justify keeping the suspect in jail for the time being. He will remain in custody for at least 14 days, the magistrate said on Tuesday. For now, he is only allowed to have contact with his attorney.
The attack, which began at 3:15 p.m., involved victims stabbed at multiple locations just north of Dam Square in the city center. The five victims of Thursday’s stabbing appeared to be targeted at random, and were initially hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
Four remain hospitalized, though all are reported to be in stable condition. They include a 73-year-old Belgian woman who narrowly avoided a life-threatening injury when the knife missed a crucial nerve in her lower back by millimeters.
A 19-year-old Dutch woman residing in Amsterdam, a 69-year-old American man and his 67-year-old American wife were also recovering from their injuries. The two Americans were quickly assisted by security workers at a shop on Nieuwendijk, and were reportedly doing well. They were being provided with consular assistance, the U.S. Department of State confirmed.
The Belgian woman, the two Americans, and the fifth victim, a 26-year-old Polish man, were all visiting Amsterdam as tourists at the time of the attack. The Polish man has since been released from the hospital and has reportedly left the Netherlands.
The suspect, who was injured during his arrest, was tackled by a British tourist near Nieuwendijk and held down until police arrived. A video shows him being subdued by bystanders before officers took him into custody. Police raided a hotel on Damrak close to the crime scenes shortly after the arrest. He reportedly held several falsified pieces of identification.
The attack has drawn international attention partly due to the diverse nationalities of those involved in the incident.
