search

Finnish court identifies Turku stabbing suspect

Deadly stabbing spree carried out by Abderrahman Mechkah, 18, is being probed as the country’s first-ever terror attack

Candles and flowers are left at the makeshift memorial by well wishers for the victims of Friday's stabbings at the Turku Market Square, Finland on August 19, 2017. (AFP Photo/Lehtikuva/Vesa Moilanen)
Candles and flowers are left at the makeshift memorial by well wishers for the victims of Friday's stabbings at the Turku Market Square, Finland on August 19, 2017. (AFP Photo/Lehtikuva/Vesa Moilanen)

HELSINKI, Finland — Court documents on Monday identified the suspect in last week’s stabbing spree in a Finnish city — being probed as the country’s first ever terror attack — as 18-year-old Abderrahman Mechkah.

Police have previously described the suspect as an asylum seeker from Morocco who deliberately “targeted women” in the attack in a market square in the southwestern port of Turku on Friday, which left two people dead.

The Turku district court documents did not specify Mechkah’s nationality.

Mechkah, whom police shot in the thigh when they arrested him minutes after the rampage, is to appear before the court on Tuesday via video link, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.

His court appearance had initially been scheduled for Monday.

Rescue personnel cordon off the area at the Turku Market Square in the Finnish city of Turku where several people were stabbed on August 18, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / Lehtikuva / Roni Lehti)
Rescue personnel cordon off the area at the Turku Market Square in the Finnish city of Turku where several people were stabbed on August 18, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / Lehtikuva / Roni Lehti)

Police will ask the court to remand him in custody suspected of two murders and eight attempted murders “with terrorist intent.”

Police will also request the detention of four other Moroccan citizens, who were arrested in an overnight raid on a Turku apartment building and refugee housing center just hours after the attack.

“They are suspected of participation in the murders and attempted murders committed with a terrorist intent. They deny any involvement in the offences,” the NBI said in a statement.

read more:
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.