Finland names Turku knife attack suspect as Abderrahman Mechkah
Police say country's first terror attack deliberately targeted women
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Finnish court has named the main suspect in a knife attack in the southwestern city of Turku that killed two women and wounded eight others.
Police shot and arrested 18-year-old Moroccan Abderrahman Mechkah after the incident on Friday afternoon, which authorities are treating as a terrorist attack.
Authorities have requested Mechkah, who is currently in hospital, be detained during preliminary investigations.
They said he may appear in court via video link from hospital.
Detective Inspector Crista Granroth from the National Bureau of Investigation said police would ask the court to rule on the suspect's detention in a hearing.
"We are prepared to arrange it via a video connection but that is up to his condition which will be determined by hospital personnel," Ms Granroth said.
Police earlier said the role of four other Moroccan men, detained over possible links to the Turku attack, was yet to be fully established.
The knife rampage, Finland's first terrorism-related attack, deliberately targeted women, police said.
No group has claimed responsibility, though police are investigating possible links to Thursday's van attack by Islamist militants in the Spanish city of Barcelona where 13 people were killed in an attack claimed by Isis.
Finnish broadcaster MTV, citing an unnamed source, said the suspect had been denied asylum in Finland, although police said he had only been "part of the asylum process".
Police also arrested four other Moroccan men over possible links to him and issued an international arrest warrant for a sixth Moroccan, they said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments