A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh that left five people injured, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stating the violence appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”. Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate the incidents, which occurred on Friday, 19 June, 2026.
Police Scotland confirmed late on Saturday night that the man had been charged and a report submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. He is expected to appear in court in due course. The force earlier confirmed that a white Scottish man had been arrested.
Prime Minister Condemns Violence
Sir Keir Starmer posted on X, linking to an image of a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon, saying: “Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets. The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law. My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response.”
Footage posted online showed a bare-chested white man roaming the streets of Edinburgh with a large weapon, while another clip appeared to show a man battering the door of a pizzeria. Police closed off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the incidents unfolded. Another video showed a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.
Scottish First Minister Reacts
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also condemned the violence in an online post on X, saying: “I am deeply concerned by these incidents. There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country. I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the Government.”
Officers were called to a report of an incident in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were injured, at around 8.50pm on Friday. Police then received reports about incidents around retailers across the west and north of the city. During this period, three other men were allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area.
Victims and Injuries
Police said that five men – two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39 – sustained a range of injuries. Three needed hospital treatment, although none of the injuries are life-threatening. Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation.
Police said a 36-year-old man was detained at around 9.30pm on Friday. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified” by the violence, which appeared “to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred”. She added: “There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country.”
Police Response
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described the attacks as “shocking” and said her thoughts are with those injured and most directly affected. She said: “I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together. Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority. Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances.”
The force is working with Counter Terrorism Policing and under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers.
Justice Secretary Comments
Scottish Government’s Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “These attacks were awful and my thoughts are with those who were injured and affected by them. As Police Scotland have said, there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland. They have also confirmed that a man has been arrested, there is no threat to the public and their inquiries are ongoing. I encourage anyone with information to contact the police. This was clearly a very serious incident and my thanks go to the emergency services for their bravery and skill in bringing the incident under control.”
