THE knife rampage that left five people injured near Amsterdam’s Dam Square is now being treated as a terrorist attack, Dutch cops confirmed today.
A 30-year-old Ukrainian man is suspected of five counts of attempted murder or manslaughter “with a terrorist motive”, according to the Public Prosecution Service.
XThe attacker struck in the middle of a crowed Dam Square[/caption]
Het ParoolThe attacker – seen wearing grey jacket and matching pants – was caught running on CCTV[/caption]
An English-speaking hero wrestled and detained the Amsterdam knifeman to stop his spree@RadioGenoa / X
The suspect was brought before a magistrate today, who ruled he will remain in custody for at least two more weeks, local outlet NOS reports.
The shocking attack unfolded on Thursday in broad daylight when the man reportedly launched a frenzied assault in the busy Sint Nicolaasstraat – just steps from the city’s bustling central square.
Cops say the man – previously named as Roman D by Dutch outlet De Telegraaf – used multiple knives and appeared to select his targets at random.
The victims – from the US, Belgium, Poland and Amsterdam – were rushed to hospital, and four of them remain in stable condition.
Authorities say the motive appears to be terrorism based on the location and nature of the violence.
A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service in Amsterdam said: “The suspect stabbed five people in broad daylight at a very busy spot.
“Everything is being investigated.”
Two public prosecutors – one specialising in serious crime and the other in terrorism – are leading the case.
Officials say that multiple scenarios are still being explored.
The suspect is currently being held under full restrictions, meaning he can only communicate with his lawyer.
His pre-trial detention will be reviewed again in two weeks.
The twisted knifeman was last week chased and tackled down by a heroic Brit tourist, with the incredible moment caught on CCTV.
The holidaymaker, since dubbed the “hero of the Dam”, pinned the knifeman with his knee after a daring pursuit.
Witnesses said the attacker was overwhelmed by bystanders before officers arrived at the chaotic scene.
The attack brought chaos to the centre of the Dutch capital.
A helicopter landed in the iconic plaza
Paramedics rushed to the scene on Thursday afternoonRex
A trauma team landed by helicopter in Dam Square, a meeting at the city’s Stopera building was abruptly halted, and police set up a wide cordon around the crime scene.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as screams rang out and people fled through the streets.
One worker at local bar De 3 Fleschjes said diners watched in horror as an older woman and a young girl were both stabbed in the back.
Another witness told De Telegraaf they heard an “icy scream” before the panic erupted.
Amsterdam has been rocked by several stabbing incidents in recent years, including attacks linked to mental health issues and terror-related violence.
City authorities have since set up a hotline for residents to report suspicious behaviour.
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