Oulu mayor condemns recent stabbing attacks

Oulu’s mayor Ari Alatossava has condemned a series of recent stabbing attacks in the city, calling them “extremely cowardly and despicable.”

In the latest incident, a man with a foreign background was stabbed in the back in the Kaukovainio district on Friday evening. The victim sustained serious injuries, and the suspect fled by bicycle.

Similar attacks have occurred multiple times this year in Oulu, including in Raksila, Knuuttilankangas, and Välkkylä. Police told Yle on Friday evening that the spring’s stabbing cases “appear to have been carried out in a very similar manner,” and on Saturday confirmed they do not rule out the possibility of a serial attacker.

“The perpetrator is probably still enjoying the media attention. But the police will catch him eventually, that is certain,” Alatossava said in an email to Yle.

While emphasizing that the investigation remains a police responsibility, the mayor urged residents to report even minor observations that could assist the inquiry. Police have released images of the suspect in Friday’s attack and requested public tips.

Oulu has previously seen serious racially motivated crimes, including the 2024 stabbing of a 12-year-old child at the Valkea shopping center by a suspect with far-right extremist ties. In response, the city has launched an anti-racism program focusing on fostering good community relations, preventing hate speech and racism—particularly among youth—and supporting grassroots initiatives.

Alatossava described the program as long-term work, noting that Oulu is rapidly internationalizing.