Security lockdown at Israeli Embassy; Security forces on high alert

Acting Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said that the attacker, who is suspected of being from Šabac, assaulted a Gendarmerie officer with two knives while shouting “Allahu Akbar.”

The Gendarmerie officer neutralized the attacker in self-defense, sustaining minor injuries, including a cut to his face.

A large number of police officers and security personnel have been deployed outside the Israeli Embassy and throughout Belgrade, Blic reported.

Following the incident, Serbia’s terrorism threat level was urgently raised to the highest level, red alert.

The measure involves a significantly increased police presence and tighter security checks at locations of particular security importance, critical infrastructure facilities, and places where large numbers of people gather.

Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office issues statement

The duty public prosecutor from the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office (VJT) in Belgrade inspected the scene of the attack outside the Israeli Embassy at approximately 12:15 a.m. last night. The victim was D.S., a police officer with the Belgrade Gendarmerie unit who was guarding the embassy, the prosecutor’s office announced today.

The attack was carried out by an unidentified individual dressed in black, who opened the door of the security booth where D.S. was stationed and approached him carrying two knives while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” according to the statement.

“During the incident, the unidentified individual threw one of the knives at D.S., striking him in the left cheek. D.S. then drew his service weapon and fired several shots at the attacker, killing him at the scene. D.S. sustained a cut to his left cheek,” the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office added.

Following the investigation at the scene, authorities determined that the use of the service firearm was justified as an act of self-defense. The investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing, the statement concluded.