Scottish police announced on Sunday that they had charged a 36‑year‑old man in relation to a series of attacks that occurred in Edinburgh on Friday.
“A 36‑year‑old man has been charged in connection with several incidents that took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June 2026,” the Scottish police statement read.
“A report has been forwarded to the procurator fiscal, and the individual will appear in court as soon as appropriate.”
On Saturday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that the attacks seemed motivated by anti‑Muslim hatred.
Starmer condemns ‘appalling’ Edinburgh attacks
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks.
‘Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets,’ Starmer wrote in a post on X.
‘The suspect appears to be motivated by anti‑Muslim hatred, and I will not tolerate this; he will face the full force of the law.’
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, also condemned the attacks.
‘I am deeply concerned by these incidents,’ he said in an X post.
‘There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country. I met with community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the Government.’
What were the Friday attacks in Edinburgh?
On Friday, police responded to reports of violent attacks involving threats, robbery and vandalism across the city, and counter‑terrorism officers have opened an investigation.
Police closed the major Leith Walk road that links the city centre to the Leith coastal suburb.
British media reported that the attacks seemed to have begun near a mosque in western Edinburgh and continued in other parts of the city.
Social media footage appeared to show a shirtless man walking along a street carrying a weapon, and another video captured him being restrained by police while shouting about “protecting the country.”
Five people were injured in the attacks, with three requiring hospital treatment.
The incidents occur amid a rising wave of anti‑Muslim and anti‑migrant sentiment in Britain, including riots in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital, and other cities.
