Knife-wielding minor shot dead outside Israeli embassy in Belgrade
BELGRADE — A knife-wielding attacker was shot dead after assaulting a guard outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade early Wednesday, Serbian police said.
Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said authorities were investigating the incident as a “terrorist attack”. The government raised the terror threat level to its highest category and increased security at key locations across the country, according to the Associated Press news agency.
According to Dacic, the attacker was a minor and was carrying two knives. He allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar”, while attacking a member of Serbia’s Gendarmerie guarding the embassy.
The officer sustained a minor facial injury but managed to shoot and kill the assailant in self-defense, the minister said.
Photographs released by police showed the security booth outside the embassy, with the surrounding area cordoned off using police tape. Armed officers in tactical gear were seen at the scene.
The minister said Serbian security services had been monitoring the suspect, whom he described as a supporter of the Islamic State group.
The attack comes days after Serbia's early parliamentary election on Sunday, which saw a youth-led movement defeat former President Aleksandar Vucic's long-dominant political camp following nearly two years of anti-government protests.
However, Vucic and his allies remain in control of the police while a new government has yet to be formed.
