Gunman injures 3 in Zurich mosque rampageDecember 20, 2016 - 10:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A man stormed into a Zurich mosque on Monday evening, December 19 and opened fire on people praying, injuring three, Swiss police said, according to Reuters. They said they had collected evidence inside the building and would make more details available on Tuesday. They declined to comment on the potential motive. Two of the three men -- aged 30, 35 and 56 -- were seriously injured in the attack shortly after 5:30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT) near the main train station in Switzerland's financial capital, Zurich police said. A third sustained less severe injuries. All three were brought to hospital. The unidentified suspect, a man around 30 years old who according to witnesses was wearing dark clothing and a dark wool cap, fled the mosque, police said. Police said a body was found nearby but would not comment on any link to the shootings while investigations continued. People at the scene told Reuters the Islamic Center on Zurich's Eisgasse was used as a mosque, often by Somalis. "We never once had a problem," said Abukar Abshirow, a Somali who said he was a regular worshipper at the center that attracted Muslims from around the world. "We never had anyone come and say why are you here. We never had that," Abshirow said. He said the three victims were Somalis. Two thirds of Switzerland's 8.3 million residents identify as Christian but the nation has been wrestling with the role of Islam as its Muslim population has risen to 5 percent, swelled by the arrival of immigrants from the former Yugoslavia. In 2009, a nationwide vote backed a constitutional ban on new minarets. The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Switzerland said the center was not a member and it did not have any direct knowledge of the incident. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |