Two Swedes shot dead in Brussels, Belgium raises terror alert to top level

BRUSSELS — Two Swedish nationals were shot dead and a third wounded in central Brussels on Monday night, and a man who identified himself as a member of Islamist State claimed responsibility in a video posted online. The suspected assailant fled the scene after the shooting as a football match between Belgium and Sweden was about to start, triggering a massive manhunt and prompting Belgium to raise its terror alert to the highest level. A Belgian federal prosecutor said there was no evidence the attacker, who was still on the loose, had any link to the recent renewed conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants. The suspected assailant, calling himself Abdesalem Al Guilani, claimed in a video on social media that he was a fighter for Allah. The federal prosecutor said the third victim, who was wounded but not in life-threatening condition, was a taxi driver. It called on residents in Brussels to stay indoors until the threat was over. European Commission staff were also advised to stay indoors. Sweden in August raised its terror alert to the second- highest level, warning also of an increase in threats against Swedish interests abroad, after Koran burnings and other acts in Sweden against Islam’s holiest text outraged Muslims and triggered threats from jihadists. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo confirmed on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the victims were Swedish. “I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels,” de Croo said on X. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one,” he said. Sweden’s Justice minister, Gunnar Strommer, told Reuters: “Tonight we have received terrible news from Brussels. The Government office and relevant authorities are working intensively to get more information about what happened.” The Swedish government was in contact with Belgian authorities to seek more information, he added. All Swedes in Belgium will receive a text message sent to their phones urging them to be vigilant and to follow instructions from Belgian authorities, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement. Belgium’s interior minister said that “due to a possible terrorist motive on the part of the perpetrator, the investigation is in the hands of the federal public prosecutor’s office. “The necessary measures are currently being taken to track Read more at: inquirer

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