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Sweden Strengthens Border Controls | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A view of the street scene after people were killed when a truck crashed into a department store Ahlens, in central Stockholm, Sweden, April 7, 2017. Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via REUTERS


Stockholm, Brussels – Swedish television reported police sources saying that the police had arrested a second man after a truck drove into a crowd of people on the busy Stockholm shopping street Drottninggatan killing four people and injuring at least 15.

The incident came just weeks after a suspected ISIS supporter killed five people in London before being shot dead by police.

Police have said they have arrested a person in Märsta, north of Stockholm, who could be linked to the attack. They have confirmed that the person matches an image released by police earlier on Friday.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced, at a Friday evening press conference, that Sweden had reinforced its borders with immediate effect.

Sweden increased border security as part of a joint European movement to stop fighters’ influx in or out the countries who might have fought in war zones in Syria and Iraq. The European movement is also part of joint effort to arrest anyone who might be wanted in one of the EU countries.

Lofven declared Monday a national day of mourning with a minute’s silence at midday to commemorate the dead.

The Prime Minister said the attack was a “tragedy for the families involved.” He stressed that Sweden would do “whatever it takes” for people to feel safe.

“Terrorists want us to be afraid…to not live our lives normally, but that is what we are going to do. Terrorists can never defeat Sweden, never,” he stressed adding that the whole country is united in grief, anger and resolve.

Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel visited the scene mid-morning. Princess Victoria, visibly in shock, told reporters: “I feel an enormous sorrow and emptiness.”

Police said they arrested a man after a manhunt for a suspect described as wearing a green jacket, grey hoodie and white shoes. Authorities don’t rule out the possibility of involvement of other attackers.

“The person in question has been arrested as the culprit … in this case the driver,” police spokesman on Saturday.

A large area of central Stockholm has been cordoned off and evacuated by police, with Sweden’s parliament evacuated as a precaution and public transport in the capital shut down.

Several European countries and organizations condemned the attack.

Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders expressed his shock by the terrorist attack in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. The Minister said that his thoughts are with the victims and with their families and friends. He also expressed his condolences to the Swedish government and the population saying: “Our country shows solidarity with the Swedish.” Reynders hoped that the person(s) responsible will be punished. He reiterated Belgium’s commitment internationally in the common fight against terrorism.

Spendrups, a Swedish brewery company which owns the truck, said it had been stolen earlier in the day.