Brussels shooting live: Swedes abroad warned of terror attacks after country becomes ‘target among jihadists’
Swedish PM said Monday night’s attack in Brussels was “aimed at Sweden and Swedish citizens”.
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Your support makes all the difference.Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called on the European Union to bolster border controls and internal security after a gunman killed two Swedes in Brussels on Monday.
A 45-year-old Tunisian terror suspect opened fire and killed two Swedish football fans. He died on Tuesday after being shot by police in a cafe.
Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots, using a large weapon. The bearded man was reportedly seen leaving the crime scene on a scooter.
After the shooting suspect Abdesalem Lassoued posted a video on Facebook about the killings, claiming he was a member of Islamic State (IS) and had killed “three Swedes so far”.
“All indications are that this is a terror attack aimed at Sweden and Swedish citizens only due to them being Swedish,” Kristersson told a news conference.
Sweden raised its terror alert to its second-highest level in August after Koran burnings and other acts in Sweden against Islam’s holiest text outraged Muslims and the government warned that the country had become a priority target among jihadists.
Sweden’s embassies urged nationals to exercise increased vigilance abroad while Swedes at home voiced concerns about safety.
Watch: Emergency services on scene after two people shot dead in Brussels
Threat level raised to highest ‘level 4’ in Brussels and nearby region
Shortly following the attack the National Crisis Centre said that it had increased the threat level in the Brussels region to “level 4”. The organisation requested “active vigilance” from civilians and advised against “unnecessary movement”.
It added that the threat level across the rest of the nation would raised to the second-highest.
Earlier, the NCC urged members of the public not to share pictures or videos of the victims on social media, out of respect for their families.
Emmanuel Macron: ‘Europe has been shaken’
After two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels, French president Emmanuel Macron said that “Europe has been shaken”.
Belgian police earlier said that the gunman had suspected terrorist motives.
A spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutor, Eric van Duyse, requested locals to “go home and stay at home as long as the threat has not been eradicated”.
Security tightened at a friendly match between France and Scotland
After the terrorist attack in Brussels that killed two Swedes, France tightened security measures at a friendly match between France and Scotland in Lille on Tuesday evening, French newspaper Le Monde reported.
Federal prosecutors in Belgium have launched a terrorism inquiry over the shooting on the Boulevard d’Ypres in Brussels.
Perpetrator’s application for asylum was rejected in 2020
State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor told reporters on Tuesday that the suspected perpetrator applied for asylum in Belgium in November 2019.
However, in October 2020, his application was rejected and shortly afterwards he disappeared from the radar.
Belgian royal palace issues statement over shooting
The Belgian royal palace said it was “shocked” by the shooting. “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims, their families and loved ones. We support the security forces who are currently doing their utmost to track down the perpetrator,” the palace said on social media.
Perpetrator identified as a man of Tunisian origin who was illegally staying in Belgium
Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo told reporters today that “the perpetrator is said to be a man of Tunisian origin who was staying illegally in our country”.
He also said that security would be increased in sensitive areas including those belonging to the Swedish community.
“The perpetrator targeted Swedish supporters. It was said to be a man of Tunisian origin who was staying illegally in our country,” he said.
“Two lives were cut short, mown down by the most extreme cruelty. Our thoughts go out to the victims, their loved ones, their relatives. We offer our condolences,” he added.
Brussel schools to remain open on Tuesday, PM says
Schools in Brussels will remain open today despite the suspect still being at large.
HLN reported that schools are “not staying closed due to the heightened terror” threat following Monday night’s attack in Brussels.
According to prime minister Alexander De Croo, who addressed a press conference, “there is no reason to close schools”.
“Everyone is now looking for a foothold. In any case, with our country, with our excellent security services, we are doing everything we can to track down the perpetrator,” Belgian minister of the interior Annelies Verlinden said.
European leaders condemn ‘cowardly’ attack
European political leaders sent their condolences to Sweden and its leaders following the attack – in which two Swedish nationals were killed – describing it as “cowardly”.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “I want to express my deepest condolences to @SwedishPM Kristersson and the Swedish people who have lost two of their compatriots tonight in the cowardly attack in Brussels. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.”
French president Emmanuel Macron added: “We are thinking of the victims of this cowardly attack, as well as our Belgian and Swedish friends, whose shock we share.”
Belgian prime minister says shooting victims ‘cut down by extreme brutality’
Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo addressed a press conference this morning and said Monday night was meant to be “a wonderful soccer party” and the victims had been “cut down by extreme brutality”.
“Terrorism is directed against people everywhere,” he said. “Terrorists will never defeat us and we are fighting it together with our Swedish friends.
“Moments like these are a heavy ordeal but we are never going to let ourselves be intimidated by them.”
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