Swiss Train Station Stabbing Leaves Three Injured, Authorities Label Incident as Terrorist Attack

Swiss Authorities Arrest Suspect Linked to ISIL Propaganda

A 31-year-old Swiss-Turkish dual national was arrested by authorities on Thursday after a stabbing incident at a train station in Winterthur, Switzerland. The suspect, who lives in the city, had previously come to the attention of authorities in 2015 for distributing ISIL propaganda.

According to regional police chief Marius Weyermann, the attack occurred shortly before 8:30am on Thursday and resulted in injuries to three Swiss men aged 28, 43, and 52. The suspect was taken into custody five minutes after emergency services were alerted.

The injured individuals were treated at local hospitals, with two of them being discharged or expected to be released by mid-afternoon. The oldest victim remained hospitalized following an operation on a thigh injury. Investigators believe the suspect acted alone in the attack.

Switzerland’s top security official, Mario Fehr, described the incident as “an act of terror.” The Zurich region’s Islamic Central Council also issued a statement condemning the attack, stating that ISIL is not an Islamic movement but a terrorist sect that aims to sow discord and harm innocent people.

The suspect was born in Switzerland and gained citizenship in 2009. He had spent much of the last two years in Turkey before returning to Winterthur. Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed shock at the incident and wished the injured men a swift recovery, thanking emergency services for their work.

Source: Al Jazeera