A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh that left five people injured, as Scotland's First Minister John Swinney insisted there is no place for race-based or faith-based violence in the country.
Police Scotland confirmed late on Saturday that the man, a white Scottish national, had been arrested and charged following the incidents on Friday, June 19, 2026. A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal, and the individual will appear in court in due course.
Attacks across the city
Officers were first called to an incident in the Sighthill area at around 8.50pm on Friday, where two men were injured. They then received reports of further attacks at 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.
The victims—two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39—sustained a range of injuries. Three required hospital treatment, though none of the injuries are life-threatening. Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation.
Footage posted online showed a bare-chested white man roaming the streets with a large weapon, while another clip appeared to show a man battering the door of a pizzeria. Another video showed a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.
Political condemnation
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the suspect appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred” and vowed that he would “face the full force of the law.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified” by the violence, which appeared “to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred.”
First Minister John Swinney, who was briefed by Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton, said: “There is no place for race-based or faith-based violence in Scotland. My thoughts are with all who have been impacted – the victims but also the communities who are understandably anxious by what happened.”
He added: “Anti-Muslim hatred is abhorrent, and we must not allow recent attempts to stoke fear to divide us. Everyone who lives in Scotland – those that were born here and those that have decided to make Scotland their home – epitomise Scotland’s values of hope, tolerance and solidarity.”
Community response
Owais Ahmed, a member of the management team at Broomhouse Mosque, near which two of the incidents occurred, said: “There is a sense of anxiety and uncertainty in some aspects but people are resilient, and people are looking at it as objectively as they possibly can.”
Uday Kiran Naga, who was working at the Shell garage on Telford Road, described the scene: “We closed the door and I locked the door. It was very, very scary. We called the police and I think people outside called the police. The police came very quickly, two or three vehicles.” He said customers were saying “it’s scary, it’s incredible. Nothing like this has happened before.”
The Scottish Association of Mosques said it was “deeply concerned” but added: “Scotland’s diverse communities have faced challenges before and will continue to respond with dignity, resilience and unity.”
Police investigation
Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to assist the investigation. Assistant Chief Constable Paton 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.”
A Major Incident Public Portal has been set up for members of the public to submit information directly to officers. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray and equalities minister Simita Kumar were also briefed alongside Mr Swinney on Sunday. Mr Swinney is due to meet with members of the Muslim community on Monday.
