Terror investigation opened after police officer stabbed in neck

The stabbing of a policeman in central Brussels is being treated as a possible terrorist incident, prosecutors have confirmed.

The officer was standing outside the central Brussels police station on Rue du Marché au Charbon when he stabbed in the neck by a passer-by at about 5.30 on Tuesday morning.

Two colleagues opened fire on the attacker, who was arrested. He was carrying two kitchen knives.

The Brussels public prosecutor's office said an investigation had been opened into "attempted murder in a terrorist context".

"We have not been able to establish with certainty the motive for the attack," said a spokesperson. "The man has yet to be questioned, but witnesses reported hearing him shout 'Allahu akbar' (God is great)."

The suspect is a 34-year-old Belgian national and has previous criminal convictions for violent robberies and weapons trafficking. Interior minister Jan Jambon said the man had not been flagged up as a potential terror threat.

Adam Amri, a rep for the CSC police trade union, said: "The safety conditions for our colleagues are unsatisfactory throughout the Brussels region. With a few exceptions, officers are working in dilapidated buildings where new security features cannot be easily added."

Photo: Hatim Kaghat/Belga