Serbian police are investigating a potential community and ties with ‘international terrorist teams’ after the crossbow assault on an Israeli embassy guard.
An attacker who fired a crossbow and wounded a police officer guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade was shot and killed in what officers described as a “terrorist assault in opposition to Serbia“.
The officer was in a guardhouse and the attacker approached him a number of instances asking for the situation of a museum, Inside Minister Ivica Dacic mentioned. He carried a bag from which, at one level, he pulled out the crossbow and shot the guard.
The police officer was hit within the neck with an arrow and fired a number of photographs on the attacker, who later “died on account of his accidents”. The id of the assailant continues to be being decided.
“This can be a terrorist assault in opposition to Serbia,” mentioned Dacic. “We’re nonetheless speaking about potential motives.”
He mentioned one particular person was arrested close to the scene of the capturing. Police are investigating a potential community and ties with “international terrorist teams”, he added.
“There are indications that these are people already recognized to the safety providers,” Dacic mentioned.
The policeman was aware when he was transported to Belgrade’s primary hospital and underwent an operation to take away the arrow from his neck. Hospital officers mentioned he’s in steady situation after surgical procedure.
Israel’s embassy is situated not removed from the US embassy in an upscale Belgrade district. It’s guarded by an elite police unit with officers armed with computerized weapons.
Serbia has maintained shut relations with Israel throughout its warfare on Gaza. Israel-linked establishments around the globe have been on excessive alert for assaults and protests since Israel launched its invasion in October.
In an announcement, the Israeli international ministry mentioned the embassy in Belgrade stays closed and no staff have been injured. It added the “circumstances of the incident are being investigated”.
‘Act of madness’
Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic visited the wounded officer within the hospital, promising a sweeping crackdown.
“We’re searching them down. We could have no mercy for terrorism in Serbia,” mentioned Vucic.
Investigators in white forensic fits surrounded the physique of the suspect on the road outdoors the constructing, which was swarmed with police autos.
Dacic mentioned later a number of individuals believed to have been linked to the incident have been arrested. “There are some indications they [those arrested] are already recognized to safety providers,” he mentioned.
Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic strongly condemned what he labelled a “heinous terrorist act”.
“This was an act of madness, which can’t be attributed to any faith and any nation. It’s a crime of a person,” he mentioned, based on quotes from the Beta information company.
Vucevic promised his nation would firmly reply to the “menace of terrorism” and burdened Serbian residents may “really feel protected”.