The suspect made “indistinct comments” during a conversation with officers, Brussels prosecutor Sarah Durand said. Because he voluntarily sought psychological help, he was not arrested and instead sent to a hospital, which he left soon after. Immediately after the attack, which is being investigated as possibly terrorist, the suspect was shot by another police officer. He is being treated in the hospital. Authorities were immediately criticized for not arresting the suspect when he made his first threats to police early Thursday. However, Ms Durant said procedures dictated he had to be taken by police to hospital as he had sought psychological help himself. “The police remained there until the hospital staff took over,” he said. A few hours later, when police checked on his whereabouts, “it appears that the person had left the hospital.” Eric Van der Sypt from the federal prosecutor’s office said investigators were looking into whether the attack in Brussels occurred in a “terrorist context”. Image: Photo: AP Suspect ‘shouted Allah Akbar’ According to Belgian media, the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar”, the Arabic phrase for “God is great”, during the attack, which happened at around 7.15pm on Thursday. Authorities have kept the overall terror threat level at two out of four possible, meaning the risk of an attack remains “moderate”. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo released a message of condolence to the family and friends of the dead officer. “Our police officers risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of our citizens,” he said. “Today’s tragedy proves it once again.” Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said she was in contact with the mayor of Brussels, the police chief and security services to coordinate the response to the attack. “Such violence against our people is unacceptable,” he said.
