A Syrian man was arrested in Bucharest after throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli embassy in the Romanian capital before trying to self-immolate, local channel Digi24 reported on Monday.
The suspect, 34 years old, "pulled out a Molotov cocktail, lit it, and threw it at the front door of the building's lobby," according to the Israeli embassy.
The Molotov cocktail caused a small fire and no casualties, local media reported, citing local police. The suspect also tried to set himself on fire, reports noted.
The man was initially detained by Romanian Intelligence Service counter-terrorism officers before being taken into custody by police, who will investigate the attempted attack at the embassy.
Romanian police: Attack not related to Gaza war
Police spokesperson Georgian Drăgan told Digi24 that the incident was not related to the IDF's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and instead was motivated by personal grievances.
According to Bucharest police, the man was "dissatisfied that he did not obtain a certain residence" in the country.
I’d like to thank the Security and Police forces of Romania for apprehending the violent extremist that threw a Molotov Cocktail near the embassy of Israel .We will never surrender to terrorists! pic.twitter.com/RyEsO960Ca
— Reuven Azar ️ (@ReuvenAzar) June 3, 2024
The local Israeli embassy thanked Romanian authorities for their intervention in the incident.