Suspect in Brussels train stabbing had psychiatric history

The man who stabbed a train passenger between Brussels' Central and North stations on Monday had a psychiatric history, the Brussels public prosecutor's office said on Wednesday.

The incident took place on a train to Eupen at around 13.05 on Monday. "The victim was injured in the neck and hand and received first aid from another passenger, who turned out to be a doctor. The victim was taken to hospital by the emergency services in critical condition," the prosecutor's office said.

The victim is no longer in critical condition but remains in hospital

The attacker was arrested immediately after the stabbing and was remanded in custody on a charge of manslaughter. The victim is no longer in critical condition but remains in hospital.

"The suspect, a 27-year-old man, was immediately arrested by the local police of Brussels-North at the Brussels-North station," said the prosecutor's office. "He immediately surrendered and the police were able to confiscate a pocket knife".

The suspect has a psychiatric history, the prosecutor's office said. "The investigation is ongoing and is currently being carried out by the railway police of the federal police". 

^{© BELGA PHOTO LOAN SILVESTRE}