A suspect carried out a series of violent attacks with a machete in Scotland, injuring five people. The shirtless assailant appeared to be motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment during the Friday incidents centered in Edinburgh.
The 36-year-old man, whose name has not been released, injured two people near an Islamic place of worship in the city's west end before injuring three more in an attack on Leith Walk. Police have said that the injuries are not life-threatening, per the BBC.
The same individual allegedly caused damage at a gas station, targeted a car parked at the station, and stormed into a local pizzeria. Security camera recordings captured him toppling shelves inside a station kiosk and smashing both a window and the windshield of the vehicle.
Footage circulated on social media appeared to capture the man during his arrest, claiming he was "protecting his country" from Muslims. While being restrained on the ground, he shouted: "I've told you time and time again, I'm protecting the country from these f*cking Muslim bastards. Raping our young daughters, raping our kids. Enough is enough. I have had enough."
The Muslim Council of Britain released a statement urging followers to "stay vigilant."
"To our community: stay vigilant, look out for one another, and please report any Islamophobic hate crimes to the police," a spokesperson for the group said.
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton addressed the community, stating: "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 Scotland which is at its best when we stand working together." Counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation. The suspect remains in custody, and no charges have been filed.
The 36-year-old man, whose name has not been released, injured two people near an Islamic place of worship in the city's west end before injuring three more in an attack on Leith Walk. Police have said that the injuries are not life-threatening, per the BBC.
The same individual allegedly caused damage at a gas station, targeted a car parked at the station, and stormed into a local pizzeria. Security camera recordings captured him toppling shelves inside a station kiosk and smashing both a window and the windshield of the vehicle.
Footage circulated on social media appeared to capture the man during his arrest, claiming he was "protecting his country" from Muslims. While being restrained on the ground, he shouted: "I've told you time and time again, I'm protecting the country from these f*cking Muslim bastards. Raping our young daughters, raping our kids. Enough is enough. I have had enough."
The Muslim Council of Britain released a statement urging followers to "stay vigilant."
"To our community: stay vigilant, look out for one another, and please report any Islamophobic hate crimes to the police," a spokesperson for the group said.
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton addressed the community, stating: "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 Scotland which is at its best when we stand working together." Counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation. The suspect remains in custody, and no charges have been filed.
