Swedish FM Stabbed in Stockholm Department Store

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, September 11, 2003

Swedish FM Stabbed in Stockholm Department Store

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Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh was stabbed by an unknown assailant while shopping in Stockholm and rushed to hospital for surgery, days ahead of a euro referendum in which she has been a high-profile campaigner.

Her condition was serious but not life-threatening, police spokeswoman Stina Wessling told the press, adding that the attacker was still at large

Lindh was still in surgery more than seven hours after the attack, suffering from internal bleeding and liver damage, her spokesman Dan Svanell told the press.

Prime Minister Goeran Persson immediately issued an order to step up security for ministers, and suspended the "yes" campaign in the run-up to Sunday's referendum on Swedish euro entry.

"We are suspending all campaigning until further notice," Persson told reporters just four days ahead of Sunday's vote.

Sweden, a Scandinavian country of 9 million, has a reputation as a relatively safe place and violence against politicians is rare.

But in 1986, Prime Minister Olof Palme was killed while walking home from a movie theater with his wife. That killing has never been solved.

Politicians in Sweden are often seen walking along the street or riding in the subway without police protection.

Source: Agencies

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