Police kill the suspect in the murder of two Swedish citizens in a terrorist attack in Brussels, ending an overnight manhunt.
Belgian police shot dead the man who murdered two Swedish citizens in Brussels on Monday evening, before the Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden.
The BBC is among media outlets reporting that Abdesalem Lassoued, 45, was arrested and shot by police in a café in the Schaerbeek district.
Terrified fans were reportedly locked in Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium until 4am after the shooting of two Swedish fans.
The match played between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at half-time when those in the venue learned of the very serious events that had taken place in the city center before the start of the match.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the victims of the attack were killed because of their nationality. “The perpetrator specifically targeted Swedish fans who were in Brussels to attend the match against Belgium. Two Swedish fans were killed. A third person is recovering from serious injuries,” De Croo said.
According to the Daily Mail, those inside the King Baudouin Stadium were kept locked up until the early hours of Tuesday morning while investigations were opened into exactly what happened and why.
Players and match officials were also kept inside the pitch, with Manchester United and Swedish defender Victor Lindelof supporting the decision to only allow spectators to leave once police were available to escort them: “Our security team did that. He drove well and put us on edge.” ease. “Belgium is already qualified and we have no chance of reaching the European Championship, so I see no reason to play.”
Swedish coach Janne Andersson revealed that he and his players had requested a suspension from the match, saying: “When I came down before half-time, I received this information. I immediately felt that it was completely surreal. What kind of world do we live in today? “I went into the dressing room and we agreed 100 percent that we did not want to continue playing, out of respect for the victims and their families.”
Source: Goal