Stephen Ogilvie, a 44-year-old man with links to Scotland, has been identified as the victim of a horrific knife attack in Belfast that left him with severe injuries, including the loss of an eye. The incident occurred on Monday night on Kinnaird Avenue in the north of the city, where Ogilvie was allegedly subjected to an attempted beheading.
Attack Details
Ogilvie remains hospitalized in serious condition, receiving treatment for injuries to his eye, face, and back. The attack, captured on video, shows the assailant wielding a kitchen knife in a residential area near Antrim Road. Bystanders, including one armed with a hurling stick, intervened to stop the assault. Police recovered the knife at the scene.
Suspect Charged
Hadi Alodid, 30, a Sudanese national, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court charged with attempted murder. He also faces charges for threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife. Alodid has been remanded in custody. Authorities confirmed he entered Northern Ireland via the Irish border in February 2023 after flying from Paris to Dublin. He lodged an asylum claim and was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028. Investigators found no evidence linking the attack to terrorism.
Public Reaction
The incident sparked riots across the UK, with protests in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Ayr. In Belfast, homes and cars were torched during violent scenes. Scottish First Minister John Swinney condemned the unrest, stating, 'Racism, hatred and intimidation have no place in Scotland. We must stand against it.'
