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.

Danish authorities have been on alert since Islamist gunmen killed 17 people in three days of violence in Paris in January that began with an attack on Charlie Hebdo, long known for its acerbic cartoons on Islam, other religions and politicians.

The suspect was 22 years old and had a background in criminal gangs. Police said they did not believe he had received training in jihadist camps in the Middle East. He was born in Denmark.

Witnesses to the Copenhagen attacks said the gunman fired up to 40 shots at a cafe hosting a free speech event with Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who has received death threats for depicting the head of the prophet Mohammad on a dog.

Vilks was unhurt but a 55-year-old man was killed. A guard was later shot in the head outside Copenhagen’s biggest synagogue. Two police officers were also wounded there.

Police shot dead the suspect early yesterday after he opened fire on them near a railway station in the Noerrebro district, not far from the sites of the two attacks. Officers later searched his home, which was nearby.

Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said the attacks were terrorism and promised to protect freedom of speech and Denmark’s small but vibrant Jewish community.

“When you mercilessly fire deadly bullets at innocent people taking part in a debate, when you attack the Jewish community, you attack our democracy,” Thorning-Schmidt said outside the synagogue.

Witnesses said French ambassador Francois Zimeray had just finished introducing the cafe event, entitled Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression, when the assailant opened fire.

The venue was heavily-guarded by police, who fired back, but the attacker escaped. Vilks sheltered on the floor of a cold room at the back of the cafe with one of the event’s organiser.

Denmark became a target of violent Islamists 10 years ago after the publication of cartoons lampooning the prophet Mohammad, images which led to sometimes fatal protests in the Muslim world.