UK Charges Man Over Stabbing of Two Jewish Men in London, Raises Terror Alert Level
Al Jazeera Staff
British police have charged a man with attempted murder for stabbing two Jewish men in north London, raising the national terror alert to 'substantial'. The suspect, Essa Suleiman, 45, faces multiple counts and is due in court on May 2.
London's Metropolitan Police have formally charged a suspect with attempted murder in connection with the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London. The attack occurred on April 29, shocking the public and prompting security authorities to raise the national terror alert to 'substantial' – the second-highest level – warning of a possible attack within the next six months.
The suspect has been identified as Essa Suleiman, 45. According to police, Suleiman faces two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place. He also faces an additional charge of attempted murder related to a separate incident earlier that day in south London. Suleiman has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 2.
During his arrest, Suleiman resisted violently, forcing police to use a Taser to subdue him. London's Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said officers involved in the arrest were 'shocked' after having to intervene. A video of the arrest circulated widely on social media, showing police using significant force, even kicking the suspect in the head after he was already subdued. Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticized the police action as 'kicking repeatedly and violently at the head of a man who appears to be in significant mental health distress'.
Responding to LBC radio, Commissioner Rowley defended the officers' actions. He said: 'They were facing a terrorist, they were fearful he wasn't complying even after being Tasered. They were concerned he might be carrying an explosive device.' Rowley also wrote to Polanski, expressing disappointment and calling his post 'inaccurate and ill-informed'.
The stabbing occurred in an area with a large Jewish community. Police said one of the victims, a 34-year-old man, has been discharged from hospital; the other victim, aged 76, remains in stable condition.
In recent weeks, security concerns have escalated in the UK, particularly regarding attacks targeting the Jewish community. Earlier, a synagogue in north London was also targeted, along with several other attacks. British police have arrested 26 people in connection with attacks since the US-Israel conflict with Iran erupted in February.
