The main suspect in last week's fatal attack is to appear at a hearing Tuesday pending formal charges. Media reports have claimed the man harbored terrorist sympathies, but no extremist groups have claimed the incident.
The man suspected of plowing a truck into a shopping center in Stockholm last week, killing four people, was set to appear in court on Tuesday. Police said they were "very confident" that Uzbek national Rakhmat Akilov was the assailant.
Read: A sad weekend in Stockholm
However, they declined to comment on whether Akilov had made a confession or was tied to extremist groups, though they have said the 39-year-old is suspected of terrorist crimes. Media reports have suggested that he both confessed and admitted to harboring sympathies for "Islamic State" (IS) jihadists, saying he was "pleased with what he had done."
Unlike similar violence in Berlin, Nice, and London however, IS has not claimed the incident.
It has since emerged that Akilov had been issued a deportation order, but evaded authorities and went underground. National police Commissioner Dan Eliasson said "there was nothing in the system that indicated (he) would do something like he did on Friday."
A second man has also be detained over the attack, but details of his identity have not been released.
Stockholm vows to remain tolerant
Sweden held a nationwide minute of silence for the victims on Monday, one Briton, a Belgian, and two Swedes, including an 11-year-old girl. A huge crowd assembled outside Ahlens department store, laying candles and flowers and thanking police officers, who have been widely praised for their swift response to the situation.
"We will never let terror prevail," said Mayor Karin Wanngard at an official memorial held in city hall and attended by Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and the royal family. "Stockholm will remain an open and tolerant city."
The purpose of Tuesday's hearing was to officially remand Akilov into custody pending formal charges. Authorities have asked for a similar hearing for the second suspect to take place no later than Wednesday.
The man suspected of plowing a truck into a shopping center in Stockholm last week, killing four people, was set to appear in court on Tuesday. Police said they were "very confident" that Uzbek national Rakhmat Akilov was the assailant.
Read: A sad weekend in Stockholm
However, they declined to comment on whether Akilov had made a confession or was tied to extremist groups, though they have said the 39-year-old is suspected of terrorist crimes. Media reports have suggested that he both confessed and admitted to harboring sympathies for "Islamic State" (IS) jihadists, saying he was "pleased with what he had done."
Unlike similar violence in Berlin, Nice, and London however, IS has not claimed the incident.
It has since emerged that Akilov had been issued a deportation order, but evaded authorities and went underground. National police Commissioner Dan Eliasson said "there was nothing in the system that indicated (he) would do something like he did on Friday."
A second man has also be detained over the attack, but details of his identity have not been released.
Stockholm vows to remain tolerant
Sweden held a nationwide minute of silence for the victims on Monday, one Briton, a Belgian, and two Swedes, including an 11-year-old girl. A huge crowd assembled outside Ahlens department store, laying candles and flowers and thanking police officers, who have been widely praised for their swift response to the situation.
"We will never let terror prevail," said Mayor Karin Wanngard at an official memorial held in city hall and attended by Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and the royal family. "Stockholm will remain an open and tolerant city."
The purpose of Tuesday's hearing was to officially remand Akilov into custody pending formal charges. Authorities have asked for a similar hearing for the second suspect to take place no later than Wednesday.
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