Man charged over ‘anti-Muslim’ attacks in Scotland
A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh that British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said were motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Counter-terrorism officers have been deployed to investigate attacks that injured five people in the Scottish capital on Friday.
A white Scottish man was in custody on Saturday, police said.
“A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a series of incidents in Edinburgh on Friday 19 June 2026,” the X said.
Footage posted online shows a bare-chested white man wandering the streets of Edinburgh with a large gun; Another clip shows a man pounding on the door of a pizzeria.
Starmer shared a post on X linking to an image of a bare-chested man carrying a large gun.
“Absolutely appalling. No one should be subjected to violence on our streets,” he wrote.
“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 injured and I thank the police and emergency services for their response.”
Police Scotland said the 36-year-old man was arrested late on Friday after officers received reports of several attacks in the west and north of the city.
Police said five men, two aged 22 and the others aged 24, 27 and 39, suffered various injuries and three required hospital treatment. None of the injured are life-threatening.
The charity Muslim Engagement and Development said many of those injured were Muslims. The Scottish Association of Mosques said two of the injured were attacked after praying at the local mosque.
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified by the news of the attack in Edinburgh.”
“There is no room for hatred and violence against Muslims,” he said.
“I know that’s not who we are as a country.”
The Muslim Council of Britain said the Muslim community was “rightfully nervous and concerned”.
The statement said the violence was “a direct result of political discourse that demonizes entire communities.”
Deputy Chief Constable Catriona Paton of Police Scotland said it was a “shocking” incident.
“I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hatred in Scotland, which is at its best when we stand together,” he said.
with PA
