A 36-year-old man has been charged over suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh on Friday evening which wounded five men, including three who needed hospital treatment, according to Sky News. It is believed that none of the injuries are life-threatening.
BBC reported that the attacks began near a mosque in the west of the city.
Police Scotland received multiple calls on Friday evening regarding a series of incidents across the area involving threats, robbery, and vandalism. Footage on social media showed clips of a topless man holding a knife and striking the door of a restaurant on Leith Walk before being restrained by the police, while he was shouting he was “protecting the country” from Muslims, who he alleged were “raping our daughters”. The man had also reportedly smashed the windows of a taxi at the Shell petrol station on Telford Road, with footage showing broken glass and a hand axe on the seat of the vehicle.
The police said they had submitted a report to Scotland’s public prosecutor and that the man would appear in court in due time.
The Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) organisation confirmed that several of those hurt were Muslims. The Scottish Association of Mosques told Sky News that two were injured after leaving prayers at the mosque.
UK leaders condemn attack
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the attacks seemed to have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred and expressed solidarity with the victims. He also thanked the police and emergency responders for their response.
“Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets. The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law,” Starmer wrote on X ” My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the incident and also suspected the attacker was influenced by anti-Muslim sentiments.
There has been a surge in anti-immigrant sentiments in the United Kingdom, with multiple cases of violence being reported across the country.
