Serbian Police Fatally Shoot Attacker Outside Israeli Embassy in Belgrade
Attacker, described as an underage supporter of the Islamic State, rushed at an officer with knives.
Serbian police fatally shot a young man outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade on Wednesday after he attacked an officer with knives, according to the country's interior minister. The attacker, who was shouting "Allahu Akbar," sustained minor knife wounds to the face before shooting the assailant.
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated that the suspect, an unidentified minor and Serbian citizen, was known to security services as a supporter of the Islamic State. Dacic added that the suspect had reportedly posted an image of the Islamic State flag on his Instagram account. Security forces were monitoring the individual.
Following the incident, Dacic raised Serbia's terrorism threat level to "red alert," the highest level, which mandates stricter security measures and an increased police presence at critical infrastructure sites and public gathering places. The injured police officer was reported to be in good condition and did not require hospitalization.
Armed security personnel were visible outside the Israeli embassy on Wednesday morning. Israel's foreign ministry confirmed that no embassy staff were injured and the mission was closed at the time of the attack.
This marks the second such incident at the Israeli embassy in Belgrade in less than three years. In June 2024, a man attacked a police officer with a crossbow near the embassy. The officer survived and fatally shot the assailant, who was identified as a Serbian man who had converted to Islam.
Wednesday's attack occurred one day after elections were held in Israel.