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Aussie authorities not to rule out terror motivation in stabbing attack

Xinhua, August 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australian authorities are refusing to rule out terror motivations after a French national allegedly attacked three people in a northern Australian hostel.

The 29-year-old man allegedly uttered Allahu Akbar in the stabbing attack at a backpacker hostel near Townsville in northern Queensland state late Tuesday night, leaving a 21-year-old British woman dead and two men with severe injuries.

"(The attacker) uttered the phrase during the attack, and when being arrested by police," Queensland Police deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewski told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Gollschewski said while investigations revealed comments that could allege extremist Islamic motivations, it was not yet determined if the attack was terror related.

"While this information will be factored into the investigation, we are not ruling out any motivations at this stage, whether they be political or criminal," Gollschewski said.

"Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drug misuse factors are involved in this incident."

Australia has been on heightened alert for terror attacks since September 2014, suffering several attacks including the lone wolf style murder of Police accountant Curtis Cheng at a Western Sydney police station last year.

Australian authorities have conducted 16 counter-terror operations since 2014, arresting 44 alleged home grown terrorists, however if terror was a motivation, it is believed this is the first attack by a foreign national.

The French national had entered Australia lawfully in March on a temporary visa, and was not on any watch lists, Gollschewski said.

"While this matter is being treated as a homicide, the Queensland Police Service will continue to work with its federal counterparts in relation to the investigation," Gollschewski said.

Australian Federal Police commander Sharon Cowden said authorities are working with international law enforcement agencies.

Authorities said they are not searching for any other suspect in connection to the attack "at this time", reaffirming there is no ongoing threat from the incident.

"This is not about race or religion. It is individual criminal behavior," Gollschewski said. Endit