Govt holds meeting, President, PM condemn attack

The president, prime minister and leaders from different political parties on Friday condemned the incident in Turku where two people were stabbed to death and six other injured.

"On behalf of all Finns I would like to express my deepest condolence to the victims, their relatives and loved ones. The motives and background of the indiscriminate violent attacks are not yet clear. What is clear, however, is that the attack deeply touches us all. The authorities and the state leadership will do everything to make sure that everyone feels safe,” said President Sauli Niinistö in a statement.

The Prime Minister Juha Sipilä called a meeting of the government in the evening after the incident and expressed deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and injured.

The Prime Minister also wished early recovery of the injured, said a government press release late Friday night.

“The act is utterly deplorable and an exceptionally serious violent offence in the Finnish context – it is deeply shocking for us all,” said Sipilä.

In the meeting, the government received a briefing on the event and progress of investigation. “I thank the police and other authorities for their professional and swift action. The perpetrator was arrested very quickly,” said Sipilä, also chief of the ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party).

The government has carefully followed the situation from its start. The state leadership has been in close contact and receives continuous updates from the police.

The police will provide information on the progress of investigation again tomorrow morning, said the press release.

The leader of the main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), Antti Rinne also discussed the issue with the President and emphasised to strengthen the law and order situation of the country.

“I just had a discussion with president Niinistö about the incident in Turku. I suggested that there should be a broad and fact based debate between the party leaders and the president and in matters related to strengthening internal security. President Niinistö supported my proposal. My deepest condolences to the victims' family,” said Rinne in a tweet.

“I participated in an ecumenical function at the Turku cathedral. A communal commiseration for the victims and their families was expressed. Wish you all strength,” said Finance Minister Petteri Orpo, also the chair of KansallinenKokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) in a Tweeter post.