Scotland police investigate anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh

Scotland's counter-terrorism police are investigating a series of violent assaults that injured five people in Edinburgh on Friday evening. A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incidents, which included threats, robbery, and vandalism.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the attacks appeared to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. "This is deeply shocking. No one should be subjected to violence on our streets," Starmer wrote on X, vowing that the suspect would face the full force of the law.

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It is deeply shocking. No one should be subjected to violence on our streets.

The police were first called to the Sighthill area of Edinburgh around 8:50 p.m. on Friday, where two men had been injured. The Scottish Council of Mosques later reported that these two individuals were attacked in a park while walking home from a local mosque.

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The suspect appears to be motivated by hatred towards Muslims. I will not stand for this – he will face the full force of the law.

Later that evening, police received multiple reports of incidents at shops in the western and northern parts of the city, where three other men were assaulted. The arrested 36-year-old man remained in police custody as of Sunday morning.

Social media videos reportedly show a man with a weapon walking the streets and hitting a restaurant door. Another video, taken during the arrest, appears to show the man shouting "protect the country." The injured individuals were all men, aged 22, 24, 27, and 39. Deputy Chief Constable Catriona Paton called the assaults "shocking" and emphasized that "there is no place for racism or hatred based on religion in Scotland."

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I want to send a clear message of support to our communities. There is no place for racism or hatred based on religion in Scotland, which is at its best when we stand together.