Counter-terrorism officers are investigating a series of violent incidents in Edinburgh that left five men injured on Friday night in what authorities believe may have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred.
A 36-year-old Scottish man was arrested in connection with the attacks, and police have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The first incident was reported shortly before 9pm in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were assaulted and later taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
According to the Scottish Association of Mosques, the victims had just left the Broomhouse Mosque and were attacked in a nearby park while returning home from evening prayers.
Police subsequently received reports of further assaults in other parts of Edinburgh, including the Telford Road and Leith Walk areas. Three additional men were allegedly targeted during the sequence of incidents.
Armed officers responded to the developing situation at around 9.30pm and detained the suspect. Police equipped with Tasers confronted the man, although no Taser was discharged during the arrest.
Videos shared on social media appeared to show a shirtless man carrying a large weapon through the streets of Edinburgh and striking the door of a restaurant. Another clip showed a man restrained on the ground by police while shouting comments about “protecting the country”.
Police Scotland confirmed that five men aged 22, 22, 24, 27 and 39 sustained injuries ranging from minor to more serious wounds. Three victims required hospital treatment, but none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the incidents, describing them as “absolutely appalling” and stressing that violence motivated by religious hatred would not be tolerated.
He said the suspect appeared to have been driven by anti-Muslim hatred and vowed that the individual would face the full force of the law. The Prime Minister also expressed his support for the injured victims and praised the response of emergency services.
Omar Afzal, Director of Public Affairs at the Scottish Association of Mosques, said the attacks had caused deep shock and concern among Muslim communities throughout Scotland.
He warned that Muslim groups had repeatedly raised concerns about the growing normalisation of anti-Muslim rhetoric and prejudice, arguing that unchallenged hatred can encourage individuals to commit acts of violence.
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, said he was deeply troubled by the incidents and reiterated that racism, intolerance and violence have no place in Scottish society.
Meanwhile, the anti-Islamophobia organisation Muslim Engagement and Development called on investigators to consider the attacks as suspected Islamophobic far-right terrorism.
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton emphasised that Scotland should remain a country where communities stand together against hatred and discrimination. She said officers responded swiftly to a rapidly unfolding series of incidents and that public safety remained the highest priority.
Counter-terrorism policing specialists are assisting the investigation, which is being conducted under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Leith Walk was temporarily closed as officers carried out inquiries, while Police Scotland has launched a major incident portal to encourage witnesses and members of the public to submit information, photographs or video footage that could assist investigators.