Happened at the Israeli embassy • “Will investigate if they acted on the order of someone else”
Three young Swedes have been arrested after two explosions at the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen.
According to the police, the perpetrators must have used hand grenades.
– We will investigate whether they acted on the order of someone else, with someone else or on their own, says Jens Jespersen, police inspector at Copenhagen Police.
Security personnel at the Israeli embassy in the Hellerup district of Copenhagen raised the alarm during the night about two explosions.
The police were called to the scene and shortly afterwards a younger Swedish man was arrested nearby.
– At lunchtime two more young Swedes were arrested on a train at Copenhagen’s central station, says Jens Jespersen.
Stopped all train traffic upon arrest
In connection with the arrest of the two Swedes, all traffic to and from Copenhagen’s central station was stopped. Where the men were going is unclear.
– It caused a lot of travelers, we regret it, but it was absolutely necessary for the arrest, says Jens Jespersen.
The police found a bag on the platform during the operation, which could be tied to the perpetrators. The police then suspected that there could be a dangerous object in it.
Police: It’s about hand grenades
The arrested Swedish men are between 15 and 20 years old, exactly what the motive for the explosions was is unclear, even if the Israeli embassy was nearby. The police’s view is that it must have been two hand grenades.
– At the moment, we cannot determine whether the embassy was the motive for the explosions or not, but it must be investigated, says Jens Jespersen and adds:
– We will investigate whether they acted on the order of someone else, with someone else or on their own.
Looking at connections with the shooting in Stockholm
The police say that they have secured some leads and that two of the three are expected to be remanded in custody tomorrow. The Israeli embassy in Stockholm was fired upon yesterday, something the Danish police are also looking into.
– It is part of our investigation, it is natural to look at whether we can connect those events, says Jens Jespersen.