Police Scotland said on June 21 that it had arrested and charged a 36-year-old Scottish man in connection with a series of attacks in the capital city of Edinburgh. The suspect was taken into custody on June 20 and faces charges related to incidents that occurred on June 19, which left five men injured.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented: “The suspect appears to have been driven by anti-Muslim hatred. I will have zero tolerance for this behavior – he will face the full force of the law.”
Videos posted on social media show a shirtless man wandering the streets of Edinburgh wielding a large weapon. Another clip captures the man smashing the door of a pizza shop. In a further video, the bare-chested man is seen lying on the ground shouting that he was “protecting the country” while being restrained by a police officer.
On the evening of June 19, police were called to the Sighthill area of the city after reports of an incident that left two men injured. Officers then received further reports of attacks near retail stores in the western and northern parts of the city. During the same period, three other men were attacked in the areas of Telford Road and Leith Walk.
The victims, aged between 22 and 39, sustained various injuries. Three of them were taken to hospital for treatment, but their wounds were not life-threatening.
Deputy Chief Constable of Scotland Catriona Paton described the incident as “shocking.” She emphasized: “I want to send a clear message of support to all communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hatred in Scotland, which is at its best when we stand united.”
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney also condemned the violence in a post on social media platform X: “I am extremely concerned about these incidents. There is no place for violence, racism, or intolerance in our country.”
The Scottish Association of Mosques stated that two of the victims were attacked after prayers. The Muslim Council of Britain said the community was “rightfully concerned” and criticized “political rhetoric that seeks to vilify an entire community.”
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed: “I am horrified by the news of the attack in Edinburgh. There is no place for anti-Muslim hatred and violence. I know that is not who we are as a nation.”
