Feb 17 • 08:48 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Yle Uutiset

A school attack occurred in Espoo in September: the accused took inspiration from Breivik and wanted to harm minorities

A court has ruled on a school attack in Espoo, Finland, where the accused attempted to harm minority students, having been inspired by the actions of Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik.

In a recent ruling by the Western Uusimaa District Court, details emerged about a school attack that took place in September in Leppävaara, Espoo. The accused, a former student of Live Vocational College, is facing severe charges for preparing to commit serious violent crimes and attempted aggravated assaults against two students of immigrant backgrounds. On the morning of September 29, the accused arrived at the school with a 17-centimeter kitchen knife concealed in his backpack, and after entering the facilities, he proceeded to brandish the knife while recording himself in the bathroom.

During his attempted knife attack in the school's third-floor break room, the assailant targeted two students, both of immigrant descent. Fortunately, his attack was unsuccessful as he did not make contact with the victims, who managed to escape unharmed. The quick response from the vocational school's staff played a crucial role in stopping the assailant before he could inflict any harm. This incident has raised serious concerns regarding violence in educational institutions, particularly targeting minority groups.

Reports indicate that the accused had been motivated by a disturbing desire to harm minorities, having watched videos related to the acts of Breivik the night before his attack. This context not only highlights the potential influence of extremist ideologies on vulnerable individuals but also underscores the urgent need for preventive measures within schools to address safety and the inclusion of all students, regardless of their backgrounds. Such incidents prompt a broader dialogue about societal responsibilities in preventing violence and ensuring the protection of all students in educational environments.

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