Marta Gichko14:12, 29.03.25

It seems that the man chose his victims in a chaotic manner, walking around the city’s central square.

On Thursday, March 27, a man with a knife attacked people near the central Dam Square in Amsterdam . He was stopped by a passerby.

According to  De Telegraaf , investigators have identified the attacker. He turned out to be a Ukrainian – 30-year-old Roman D.

According to police, the man is from Donetsk Oblast, an area that has been largely under the control of Russian forces since 2023. The motives for the attack remain unknown at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.  

The attacker seriously injured five people. The attacker also sustained injuries as a result of his actions. He is currently in the hospital ward of the Scheveningen prison under intensive care. He is reported to have injured his ankle and lower leg.  

The attacker’s real name was only revealed late Friday night after a thorough investigation. The man was carrying fake documents and refused to reveal his real identity. His papers already indicated that he was from Ukraine.  

Attack on people in Amsterdam – what is known

Roman D. began his attack on Dam Square on Thursday afternoon, suddenly attacking passersby. Witnesses say the man chose his victims randomly. After injuring five people and trying to escape, he was stopped by a British tourist. The man chased the attacker, managed to neutralize him and hand him over to the police.  

The victims were:  

– 67-year-old woman and 69-year-old man (US citizens),  

– 26-year-old man from Poland,  

– 73-year-old woman from Belgium,  

– 19-year-old resident of Amsterdam.  

Police said the victims were likely chosen at random, although this is still being investigated. Photos from the scene show the suspect being held to the ground by bystanders and police. He could not be immediately questioned because of his injuries.  

“The police investigation is in full swing and is currently a top priority. We hope to soon gain more clarity on the background to this horrific attack,” said Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema.  

On Thursday evening, police also searched a hotel on Damrak, but the connection between the establishment and the attack has not yet been revealed.  

Police thanked the British tourist who helped apprehend the attacker, calling his actions “heroic.” An Amsterdam police spokesman confirmed that the citizen’s arrest was entirely legal, as the eyewitness directly witnessed the crime.

The city government of Amsterdam has presented an award to a Briton whose intervention prevented a knife attacker in the city center from causing more harm,  the BBC reports .

(C)UNIAN 2025