Archive photo: Belgrade skyline, not the embassy scene. Jovan Vasiljevic/Pexels (cropped)
A Serbian officer guarding the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade killed an attacker armed with two knives shortly after midnight Wednesday, Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said, as Serbia raised its terrorism threat level to its highest, red setting.
The officer suffered a minor cut to his face in the confrontation, according to a Serbian government statement authored by the Ministry of the Interior. Dačić said the attack took place at about 12:15 a.m. local time and that the officer acted in self-defense.
Security increased at key locations
Dačić described the incident as a terrorist attack. He said the red alert would mean increased police presence and checks at locations of particular security importance, including infrastructure and places where large numbers of people gather.
The minister said the attacker was a minor whose identity had not yet been established. He said the assailant shouted “Allahu Akbar” while attacking the Gendarmerie officer with two knives.
Dačić also said security services had been monitoring the attacker, whom he described as an Islamic State supporter who had displayed the group’s flag and emblem on Instagram. Those assertions and the terrorism characterization are the minister’s account.
JBizNews Desk | Belgrade
© JBizNews.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution is strictly prohibited.
