Swiss authorities classify Winterthur train station stabbing as ‘act of terror’
President Guy Parmelin condemns attack as investigators determine the suspect acted alone, despite recent psychiatric discharge.
Swiss authorities have classified a stabbing incident at a train station in Winterthur as an act of terror, following an attack that left three men wounded on Thursday morning. The suspect, a 31-year-old Swiss-Turkish dual national, was arrested just five minutes after emergency services were alerted to the disturbance.
Regional police chief Marius Weyermann confirmed the suspect, who resides in Winterthur, had previously come to the attention of authorities in 2015 for distributing propaganda for the ISIL group. Investigators currently believe the individual acted alone in the assault, which occurred shortly before 8:30am local time.
The three victims are Swiss men aged 28, 43, and 52. While the two younger men were discharged or expected to be released from hospital by mid-afternoon, the 52-year-old remained in care following surgery for a thigh injury. Zurich region security official Mario Fehr described the incident as an "evil act of terror," noting that the suspect had gained Swiss citizenship in 2009 and spent much of the previous two years in Turkiye.
Concerns regarding the suspect’s mental state emerged in the days leading up to the attack. He was admitted to a psychiatric facility after calling the police emergency number and making "confused comments." However, he was discharged on Wednesday after a medical professional determined he did not pose a danger.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed shock at the violence, stating it deeply affected him and offering condolences to the victims and their families. In response to the incident, the Swiss Islamic Central Council issued a strong condemnation, distinguishing the perpetrators of ISIL from the broader Muslim community and describing the group as a "perverse terrorist sect."
