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Islamic State claims responsibility for Belgium machete attack
Machete-wielding assailant identified as Algerian national known to police, police say he may have been inspired by terrorist motive • Police on Sunday arrest man with a machete in Liege
The assailant, identified as a 33-year-old Algerian national who had been living in Belgium since 2002, was shot and later died of his injuries after attacking two police officers in Charleroi.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility on Sunday for an attach by a machete-wielding man in Belgium that left two female police officers seriously injured, the group’s Amaq news agency said on Twitter.
Shortly before the claim, Belgian prosecutors identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Algerian national, K.B., who had lived in Belgium since 2012, saying that he may have been inspired by terrorism.
The attacker, who shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) during the assault on SAturday, was shot by police and died of his injuries. He was carrying a rucksack but not explosives or other weapons were found.
“There are indications that the attack may have been inspired by a terrorist motive,” the prosecutors said in a statement. “He is known to police for criminal acts, not for terrorism.”
Prosecutors searched two houses in Charleroi after the attack but did not provide details.
The attack in the city of Charleroi, around 60km south of Brussels, left one of the officers with "deep wounds to the face" while the other was slightly injured.
Last month they arrested and charged a 33-year-old man, identified as Nourredine H, with attempting to commit "terrorist murder" and "taking part in the activities of a terrorist organisation".
Moreover, early in Sunday, police arrested a man with a machete in the eastern city of Liege, broadcaster VRT reported.
It said Liege police had cordoned off an area before detaining the man. It said he was of Turkish origin, did not use the machete and was not previously known to the police.
Belgium is increasing security at police stations after Saturday's attack in Charleroi, Prime Minister Charles Michel told a press conference on Sunday.
Islamist bombers killed 32 people in suicide attacks in Brussels in March, and many of the jihadists who carried out attacks on Paris last November in which 130 people died were based in Belgium.
Belgian police have carried out dozens of anti-terror raids since the attacks in Paris.
Belgium is the main source per head of population of jihadist recruits going from European Union countries to fight with IS in Syria, causing deep concern that they will return home battle-hardened and even more radicalised.
