A man who attacked a police officer outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, was killed this Saturday. The attacker used a crossbow.
The police officer has already undergone surgery to remove the arrow from his neck and his life is not in danger, Reuters reported.
After an arrow hit, the agent fired several times at the attacker, killing him, Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirmed. “This is a terrorist attack against Serbia,” he added, according to a statement published by Tanjug.
The policeman was in a guard house and the assailant repeatedly approached him and asked him where the museum was. The man was carrying a bag and at some point, he took out a crossbow and shot the guard, Dasic added.
Serbian police officers believed to be involved in the incident have already been arrested. Tasik had said that those arrested were already known to the security forces and that the attack might be related to Wahhabism. The attacker was identified as Salahuddin Jujovic from central Serbia, who converted to Islam and was said to be working with another accomplice who fled.
Serbia’s President Vučić told reporters he was looking for someone other than prisoners. He added that they would “protect all diplomatic missions and guarantee safety and security”.
Security forces followed the pair, but there was insufficient evidence to make an arrest.
The circumstances of the incident are now being investigated. In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry described it as an “attempted terrorist attack”. “The embassy is closed and no embassy staff were injured.”
In 2009, a Serbian court sentenced four Muslims who follow the Wahhabi Sunni sect to prison for planning an attack on a football stadium south of Novi Bazar. The capital of Sandzak region in Serbia, the population of this city is mostly moderate Muslims.
Around the world, companies with Israeli ties have been on high alert for attacks and protests since Israel began its war to oust Hamas in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
“Hardcore explorer. Extreme communicator. Professional writer. General music practitioner. Prone to fits of apathy.”