Jerusalem [Israel], June 30: AFP reported that the attack occurred at around 11am on June 29 outside the Israeli embassy in the Serbian capital Belgrade . The attacker used a crossbow to shoot a policeman on duty at a guard post outside the diplomatic building in the neck.
The police officer opened fire in self-defense and the attacker later died from gunshot wounds, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said. The image shows forensic staff working at the scene, next to a body with a crossbow.
Police said the attacker was born in 1999 in the town of Mladenovac, about 50 km from Belgrade. The perpetrator was determined to have converted to Islam.
Authorities also arrested several others as a precaution and several people linked to security forces are suspected of being involved in the attack.
Among those arrested is a person in Belgrade who was detained two years ago for managing many websites calling for "jihad". "This subject is suspected of directly participating in the logistical support and organization of this terrorist act," Minister Dacic said, revealing initial signs showing the involvement of people from the movement. Wahhabi, an ultra-conservative branch of Islam .
Police have searched several locations and President Aleksandar Vucic said authorities were looking for several other people suspected of being involved. Mr Vucic said the attacker and others involved had been under surveillance before the attack but there was not enough evidence to make an arrest.
Prime Minister Milos Vucevic strongly condemned the "heinous terrorist act" and vowed a resolute response to the terrorist threat.
Serbia's top Muslim cleric Senad Halitovic strongly condemned the attack and wished the injured policeman a speedy recovery. He said the crime went against all religious teachings, especially Islam.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that the embassy was closed and no staff were injured. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also thanked Serbian authorities for their support and cooperation after the "terrorist incident".
Serbia continued arms sales contracts to Israel after the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out on October 7, 2023.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper