British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh that left five people injured, saying the suspects appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred” and would face the full force of the law.Starmer wrote onA 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of incidents in the Scottish capital on Friday.
what happened?
Police Scotland said officers were first called to reports of an incident in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh at around 8.50pm on Friday, in which two men were injured near a mosque.The attack then spread to multiple locations in the west and north of the city, prompting a major police response. Authorities described the incidents as a rapidly evolving series of events.Five men – two aged 22 and the others aged 24, 27 and 39 – suffered varying degrees of injuries. Three people required hospitalization, but police said no injuries were life-threatening.
Traces of violence throughout the city
Videos shared on social media appeared to show a shirtless man carrying a large weapon causing damage to multiple locations.A taxi’s window was smashed at a petrol station on Telford Road, while CCTV from another petrol station on Ferry Road showed a man entering and knocking shelves to the ground.In Leithwark, staff at a pizza shop lowered security shutters when the suspect repeatedly struck the entrance with a weapon. Other videos appeared to show members of the public fleeing as the man walked through the area.The suspect was eventually detained by armed police. Police armed with Tasers confronted him and arrested him, but the devices did not fire.
Counter-terrorism officers involved in investigation
Police Scotland confirmed counter-terrorism officers are assisting with the investigation and the force is working under the direction of the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service.On Saturday night, police announced that a 36-year-old man had been charged in connection with the incidents.Police said: “The report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the person will appear in court in due course.”
Leaders condemn alleged hate attacks
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” by the violence. “Our country has no place for violence, racism or intolerance,” he wrote on X.Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described the incidents as “shocking attacks” and stressed there was “no place for racism or faith-based hatred” in Scotland.
Muslim groups raise concerns
Community groups said several of the victims were from the Muslim community. The Mosques Association of Scotland said members of Muslim and minority ethnic communities had been targeted, while the Muslim Council of Britain said the community was “tense and concerned” following the incident.Police are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward as investigations continue.
