Denmark attacks ‘inspired’ by Hebdo

Police shot dead a gunman yesterday whose attacks on a Copenhagen synagogue and an event promoting free speech may have been inspired by an attack on French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo last month, authorities said.

Denmark’s spy chief Jens Madsen said the gunman was known to the intelligence services prior to the shooting and probably acted alone. Two civilians were killed and five police were wounded in the two attacks in the Danish capital.

“We cannot yet say anything concrete about the motive ... but are considering that he might have been inspired by the events in Paris some weeks ago,” Madsen told a news conference.