Court names suspect in stabbing attack

A court in Finland has named the suspect in a stabbing rampage that killed two and wounded eight as 18-year-old Moroccan Abderrahman Mechkah.

The suspect is being treated in hospital after police shot him in the leg to subdue him in the city of Turku.

According to court documents, regional police have requested the detention of Mechkah, a Moroccan asylum-seeker, on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism crimes.

Detective Inspector Crista Granroth from the National Bureau of Investigation said police would ask the court to rule on the suspect’s detention in a hearing. “We are prepared to arrange it via a video connection but that is up to his condition which will be determined by hospital personnel,” Ms Granroth said.

The regional court in Turku also said that four other Moroccans were “suspected of participation in the murders and attempted murders committed with a terrorist intent”. Police investigators have said that they are exploring possible links to last week’s extremist attacks in Spain.