Authorities in Sweden are reporting that a “technical device” has been found within the truck that was used to carry out the deadly attack on a Stockholm shopping area on Friday. Swedish prosecutors also announced on Saturday that they have arrested a 39-year-old Uzbekistan-born man they believe is responsible for what they are deeming a terrorist attack that killed four people and injured 15. Police say the man they have detained was on their radar in the past, but recently has not popped up as a person of interest, or as a potential threat.
The man in question has yet to be named, but authorities are saying he has been in the country for some time. After his arrest, a bag of explosives was reportedly found on the passenger seat of the hijacked beer truck. Sweden’s National Police Commissioner Dan Eliasson told reporters police have every reason to believe the suspect was the man behind the attack, but the investigation could still lead to more arrests:
“Nothing points to the fact that we have the wrong person, on the contrary suspicions have strengthened as the investigation has progressed.”
“We still cannot rule out that more people are involved.”
Eliasson also spoke on the device found inside the badly damaged truck:
“We have found something in the truck in the driver’s compartment. A technical device that should not be there. I cannot say whether this is a bomb or some sort of flammable material. That is under investigation.”
The attack on Sweden, a country renowned for it’s neutral and peaceful nature, has some people wondering if the country will change its welcoming policies. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said as of now the countries borders tightened at his request, but his country has no plans to let the terrorist win in their attempt to scare them into changing who they have always been.
“It is way too early to draw some political conclusions from all this. This is a moment for sorrow; for grief,” he said. “We’re also determined to continue to be an open society; a democratic society. And that is something I am totally confident the Swedish people also feel.”
(Via BBC and New York Times)