Oulu police do not rule out serial stabber

Oulu police have released images of a suspect in a Friday evening stabbing in the Kaukovainio district and are asking the public for help in identifying him.

Investigative lead Commissioner Jarno Väliaho told Yle that authorities do not rule out the possibility that a serial stabber may be operating in Oulu. He said there are indications that several recent knife attacks targeting immigrants in the city could be linked to the same suspect.

“It cannot be ruled out, but it cannot be confirmed. There have been similar incidents and there are indications that the acts may be connected, but until we identify the perpetrator in all cases, we cannot confirm this,” Väliaho said.

Police decided to publish the image because they were certain the man pictured was responsible for the attack. Väliaho said even minor details could assist the investigation, though a decisive tip is still awaited.

The suspect stabbed a foreign-born man in the back with a bladed weapon near the intersection of Joutsentie and Kainuuntie shortly before 8 pm on Friday. The victim, who suffered serious upper-body injuries but is not in life-threatening condition, was taken to Oulu University Hospital.

The suspect fled on a bicycle along a light traffic route toward Kaukovainio. Police suspect attempted murder.

Similar attacks on foreign-born individuals have occurred this year in Oulu, including in Raksila in April, Välkkylä in May, and Knuuttilankangas in June.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or movements is asked to contact police at [email protected] or call the tip line at 0295 416 194.