A knife attack by a 30-year-old Sudanese asylum speaker in Belfast, in which he allegedly attempted to behead a man on Monday, has triggered widespread anti-immigration protests across Northern Ireland.
Officers recovered a kitchen knife from the scene and launched an investigation into the incident.
Police arrested the attacker and charged him with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and making threats to kill.
Authorities said he had been granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom in Spetember 2023 after seeking asylum. Investigators said he had travelled to Belfast from Dublin in February 2023 after arriving in Ireland from Paris.
According to Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, the suspect was not known to the police and had no record on national security databases.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described the event as a “critical incident” and appealed for peace.
The victim, believed to be in his 40s, suffered from serious injuries to his neck, head, and face.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared a post on X, expressing solidarity with the victim and calling the attack “sickening”.
“The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening,” he wrote “I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.”
Protests break out in Belfast
The incident led to widespread anti-immigration protests in the streets of Belfast. Masked protesters gathered at several locations while police deployed armoured vehicles to contain the chaos.
Demonstrators set several vehicles, including a bus in east Belfast, on fire. Local media reported many targeting homes, smashing windows, and kicking in doors in some areas. A footage also showed a house set ablaze.
London also saw a smaller demonstration in Parliament Square.
The incident adds fuel to the rising anti-immigration sentiment across the United Kingdom, especially after the murder of Henry Nowak, who was killed in Britain by an Indian-origin man.
Political leaders appeal for peace
Political leaders of Northern Ireland condemned the attack as “horrific” while simultaneously appealing to the public to show restraint.
They warned that retaliatory violence and disorder would only deepen divisions and harm local communities.
Police is continuing their investigation into the attack and is not currently deeming it as an act of terrorism.
