Police in Belgium have confirmed the arrest of two suspects following a violent knife attack at a Kurdish demonstration in the port city of Antwerp. The incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, left six people injured, with two of the victims reported to be in a critical condition in hospital.
Details of the Attack and Police Response
The attack took place near Operaplein, commonly known as Opera Square, outside the Opera House. According to police spokesperson Wouter Bruyns, the two suspects were apprehended after they had mingled with the demonstrators. Initial findings suggest that the assailants infiltrated the peaceful protest before launching the assault.
Local reports indicate that four of the stabbing victims were found directly in the square, while two others were discovered nearby in the vicinity of Rooseveltplaats and Sint-Elisabethstraat. Forensic officers were swiftly deployed to the scene, and police have urged the public to avoid the area as investigations continue.
Investigation Focus and Community Impact
Authorities have stated that the incident is being investigated as a case of attempted murder, explicitly ruling out terrorism at this stage. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage to ensure no additional suspects have evaded capture. The demonstration, attended by approximately 50 people, was initially peaceful and involved the waving of flags from the Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK) and national symbols in support of Kurds in northern Syria.
Orhan Kilic, a spokesperson for Navbel, a group representing the Kurdish diaspora in Belgium, described the attack as a targeted assault on the community. He noted that families, women, young people, and children were present at the protest. Kilic emphasised that the violence erupted just as the demonstration was disbanding around 7:20 pm local time, with attackers pulling out knives and stabbing people indiscriminately.
This event has raised concerns about safety at public gatherings and the motivations behind such attacks, highlighting ongoing tensions within diaspora communities in Europe.
