Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the racist rioting in Belfast following a knife attack as 'shocking and completely unacceptable,' as the suspect appeared in court. Hadi Alodid, 30, was remanded in custody after being charged with attempted murder over Monday's attack, in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye.
The disorder saw mobs set homes, a bus, and cars on fire, with people targeted based on their race. Police fear further violence after the attack, which was captured on video and widely shared online, with high-profile social media accounts calling for street protests.
Court appearance
Alodid appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court via videolink on Wednesday morning, charged with attempted murder of Mr Ogilvie, threats to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. The court heard Mr Ogilvie lost his left eye and suffered deep cuts to his head, face, and back.
Alodid made no reply to the charges when they were put to him through an Arabic interpreter. The court heard he said 'I've killed someone, I don't know if they are dead' while in hospital receiving treatment for a hand injury and told medical staff 'I will kill you'.
District judge Stephen Keown refused bail after hearing police concerns there could be 'significant public disorder' if he was released due to 'strong public feeling' about the incident. The judge warned that anyone planning to take part in further disorder should 'be prepared to go to prison' and said the courts 'won't tolerate' any attacks on emergency services.
Political response
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it. Those responsible will feel the full force of the law.' Police forces across the UK are monitoring intelligence on protests and have plans in place to mobilise officers should further disorder break out.
Online posts from figures including Elon Musk and far-right activist Tommy Robinson highlighted demands for people to take to the streets after Monday's attack. Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long said social media agitators who 'yesterday would have struggled to find Belfast on a map' were 'weaponising the fear that people genuinely have about what happened'.
Details of the violence
A Glider bus was set alight in east Belfast, several cars were set on fire in Lendrick Street, and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service officers had to remove some residents from houses after they caught fire. A number of houses and vehicles were set on fire near the Ligoniel Road area of Belfast, and a police car was set alight in Portadown.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described the disorder as a 'huge act of self-harm by mindless idiots who are actually only damaging their own futures'. He told the BBC: 'We lobbied continually for people to recognise how great Northern Ireland is. Last night took us back seismically.' A two-month-old baby was among those rescued during the violence.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows witnessed disorder on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. 'These were mostly children less than 16, faces covered and believing that their patriotic duty was to go and set fire to a Glider bus, to try and find homes that were linked to immigrants. Those scenes were absolutely horrendous,' he said.
Impact on community
Anselme Shima, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who lives with his family near Lendrick Street, described a 'very scary moment'. He told the Press Association: 'It's just a terrifying moment, we don't know what to do. I'm scared. Seeing this, I'm wondering if I'm next. If this happened again, is my house the next to be attacked? I don't know.'
Monday's stabbing was captured on video and appears to show a man stabbing at the victim's head and neck while he was lying on the ground. The clip shows people, including one with a hurling stick, intervening to stop the attack in the Kinnaird Avenue residential area close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast. A kitchen knife was recovered from the scene.
Alodid entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border in February 2023 having flown to Dublin from Paris. He claimed asylum upon arrival and in September 2023 was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.
