Lewis Hawkes, 36, has been named as the man accused of carrying out a knife attack in Edinburgh that left five men injured. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with five counts of attempted murder 'aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection', according to the Crown Office.
Details of the Attack
CCTV footage released appears to show a topless man driving erratically before abandoning his car and lunging at a random black man and a delivery rider, while smoking and wielding two large knives. He is also alleged to have thrown an axe through the window of a taxi, which the driver managed to avoid by moving his car forward an inch as it was thrown. Two of the younger injured men had been at Broomhouse mosque just before they were attacked.
Alleged Statements and Charges
'I'm protecting the country from these f****g Muslim b******s raping our young daughters, raping our kids. Enough is enough,' the man was allegedly heard shouting as he was pinned to the floor. The incidents left five men – two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27 and 39 – with a range of injuries. Three of the men were taken to hospital, though none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Community Reaction
Daniel Gilius, Scotland Regional Manager of Muslim Engagement & Development (MEND), told Metro: 'Several of the injured are well known to the community, one of whom has family roots across the city. Comments which incite hate and even celebrate violence are becoming part of daily life. Social media platforms continue to prioritise profits over safety and many users have become numb to even the most hateful posts. Islamophobia is nothing new, but one of the most alarming trends in recent months and years is voices whom we would usually expect to call out far-right extremism are fading into silence – or are toning down their words.'
