Amsterdam station stabber is an Afghan man, terrorist motive not ruled out

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

The man shot yesterday after he stabbed two American tourists at Amsterdam’s central station is an Afghan national and police are investigating a possible terrorist motive for the attack, according to a joint statement issued by police, the public prosecution department and city officials.

The 19-year-old has a German residency permit. He was shot in the ‘lower part of his body’ by police after stabbing two people in a tunnel under the city’s main railway station.

There has been ‘intensive contact’ with the German authorities over the suspect’s background, the statement said. The initial investigation shows the victims do not appear to have been deliberately chosen and there was no apparent reason behind the stabbing.

Justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus confirmed that a terrorist motive is among the scenarios being looked at.

The stabbing took place on Friday around midday and disrupted train and local transport services for several hours.

The American embassy in the Netherlands confirmed on Saturday that the victims are American nationals.

‘We are aware that both victims were US citizens visiting the Netherlands and have been in touch with them or their families. We wish them a speedy recovery and are working closely with the city of Amsterdam to provide assistance to them and their families,’ Pete Hoekstra, the US ambassador to the Netherlands said in a statement on Twitter.

The two victims are not in any serious danger and are being treated in hospital.

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