Two women died in a knife attack on Tuesday at Lisbon’s Ismaili Center, home to a minority branch of Shia Islam.
According to Portuguese police, the attacker was shot after being confronted by officers. He was arrested and taken to hospital after the attack, in which a third person was also injured.
“Today, at 10:57 a.m., we were informed that a knife attack was taking place at the Ismaili Center, located on Avenida Lusíada, in Lisbon,” police wrote in a statement, adding that the attacker was shot after refusing to lay down his weapon and approaching officers with the knife.
In a statement, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa issued condolences, “I express my solidarity and condolences to the Ismaili community and the families of the victims of this morning’s attack on the Ismaili Center in Lisbon,” and praised the police who “immediately proceeded to arrest the suspect.”
According to multiple local media reports, the suspect in the fatal stabbings is of Afghan nationality.
Costa said that it was “premature” to interpret the attacker’s motivation, adding that it is necessary to wait for the police investigation results.
A statement on the main Ismaili website said the community was “shocked and saddened by this incident and is providing support to the families of the victims.”
The Ismaili Center in Lisbon is the world headquarters of the Ismaili community, and was the personal project of the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the minority group.
