A 12-year-old child has been seriously injured after being stabbed "several times" by a "far-right" attacker in Finland.
The 12-year-old, alongside another child, was targeted in the horrific attack at a shopping centre in Oulu in northern Finland late last night.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle showed images of what it said was a pool of blood on the floor of the shopping centre in the aftermath of the incident.
And now, authorities have confirmed that the suspect - who will face two attempted murder charges - "has a background in extreme right activities".
Oulu in northern Finland, where the attack took place
Getty
Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said in a statement: "The criminal investigation is still at an early stage and the police do not know the exact motive for the act.
"They know, however, that the suspect has a background in extreme right activities."
The NBI added that the suspect, who was born in 1990, was believed to have stabbed the child several times from behind before being stopped by a security guard.
In reaction to the shocking incident, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and other high-ranking officials condemned the attacker's apparent motivation.
Finland's PM, Petteri Orpo, condemned the "cowardly" attack
Reuters
Tuomitsen Oulun raukkamaisen hyökkäyksen lapsia kohtaan. Äärioikeistolainen väkivalta on aito uhka Suomessa. Tässä maassa ei ole tilaa minkäänlaisille ääriliikkeille. Hallitus toimii määrätietoisesti ääriliikkeitä ja väkivaltaa vastaan.
— Petteri Orpo (@PetteriOrpo) June 14, 2024
Orpo said: "I condemn Oulu's cowardly attack on children. Far-right violence is a genuine threat in Finland - there is no room for extremism of any kind in this country."
The 12-year-old victim is now in a stable condition, police said.
Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said: "Violence in general is totally unacceptable, but violence against children is inexcusable.
"Not to mention the horror that the motive apparently comes from extremism. Children are not attacked in Finland and children should not be afraid."