Suspect in Stockholm attack an IS sympathiser who "partied and drank" April 10, 2017 - 10:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The main suspect in the Stockholm truck attack is an Uzbek construction worker and father-of-four believed to have IS sympathies, who went underground to avoid deportation from Sweden, police and reports said on Sunday, April 9, AFP reports. Media quoted his colleagues as saying he was not "particularly religious" and that he "partied and drank". Swedish dailies Expressen and Aftonbladet meanwhile named the man as Rakhmat Akilov and published his picture on Sunday. Swedish police have only identified the suspect as a 39-year-old Uzbek national. He is accused of barrelling a stolen beer truck down a busy pedestrian street on Friday afternoon, mowing down shoppers before smashing into the facade of the Ahlens department store. Four people were killed -- two Swedes including an 11-year-old girl, a British man and a Belgian woman -- and 15 others were injured. The suspect was arrested Friday evening in Marsta, a suburb around 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Stockholm. According to sources close to the investigation cited by various media, the suspect, bloodied from the crash and with shattered glass on his clothes, fled the scene and ran into the nearby T-centralen subway station, taking advantage of the panic to blend into the crowd. At 2:55 pm (1255 GMT), video surveillance cameras caught him in the subway system. He took an express train to Stockholm's Arlanda airport, leaving a bloody trail all the way from central Stockholm, reports said. He then picked up a bus from the airport to Marsta. His odd behaviour at a petrol station convenience store raised sales clerks' attention, who alerted police. Police arrested the man at the wheel of a white van, various media reported, and placed him under arrest on suspicion of a "terrorist crime (by committing) murder". Expressen reported Sunday he had allegedly confessed to the crime, telling investigators he was "pleased with what he had done" and had "accomplished what he set out to do".  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 |  Latest news Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation  Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims.First Canadian expert join EU mission in Armenia The first Canadian expert to join the European Union’s civilian mission in Armenia has arrived in Armenia.Armenian cemetery in Fresno hit by arsons six times since January Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance.Iran vows to “decisively” defend sovereignty, national interests The Iranian embassy in Armenia has defended its “defensive and proportional action in in occupied Palestine.” |
