Finland : The Moroccan suspect admits killing two in the stabbing attack

The 18-year-old Moroccan asylum-seeker suspected of stabbing two people to death and wounding eight others in Turku, Finland on Friday, has admitted today the killing of the two victims during a closed-door court hearing held on Tuesday, reports Irish Times.

The alleged attacker identified as Abderrahman Mechkah, did not admit any terrorist motive, according to his lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus. The latter told Reuters that «(his client) admits manslaughter and injuries ... But what the investigator has brought up this far may not be enough to classify this as a terrorist crime».

Mechkah appeared in court via a video call from the hospital, as he was shot in the hip by the police on the day of the attack. According to the same source, the Moroccan national’s asylum application was rejected and he was living in an immigration center.

The same source indicated that Mechkah «has yet to be charged with any offence» while three other Moroccan men are in pre-trial detention. A fifth Moroccan who was arrested since Friday was released as the court said today.