Its counter-terrorism agency is investigating a series of violent Friday night attacks in Edinburgh that may have been anti-Muslim in nature. A total of five men were injured in the incidents, of which three had to be hospitalized, but their lives were not in danger.
A 36-year-old white Scottish man was arrested for the case, who is accused of threats, robbery and vandalism. The police confronted the suspect and arrested him at approximately 23:30 at night (Greece time).
Deputy Chief Constable Catriona Patton condemned the incidents, sending a message of support to all communities across the country. As he declared, “there is no room for racism or religious hatred in a Scotland that is at its best when everyone is united.”
At the same time, video circulating online shows a topless man roaming the streets of the Scottish capital holding a gun.
Police received multiple calls from citizens reporting violent attacks, threats, thefts and vandalism allegedly committed by the same man.
According to the BBC, the chain of attacks appears to have started near a mosque. The first two injuries were reported in the Sighhill area, west of Edinburgh, where two men were attacked and taken to hospital. Three more men were attacked in different parts of the city. The victims are between 22 and 39 years old.
NEW: Five men have been stabbed in a series of anti-Muslim attacks as a bare-chested man was seen roaming the streets of Edinburgh with a large weapon.
He said after his arrest: “I’m protecting the country from these fu***** Muslim bas***** raping our young daughters”
The…
— DOAM (@doamuslims)
Scottish Prime Minister John Sweeney said he was “deeply concerned” by the events, stressing that “violence, racism and intolerance have no place in our country”.
Both the Scottish Association of Mosques and the anti-racism organization MEND, which campaigns against Islamophobia, said several of the victims were Muslim. MEND also noted that in the video in question, the topless man can be heard shouting that the country must be “protected” from Muslims.
🚨 BREAKING: A 36-year-old white Scottish man is being investigated by Counter Terrorism Police after five people were stabbed in Edinburgh
He said after his arrest: “I’m protecting the country from these fucking Muslim bastards raping our young daughters”
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK)
