Man charged in Edinburgh over suspected anti-Muslim attacks, police say

Police in Scotland have charged a man in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh that left five men wounded, with authorities saying the suspect appears driven by anti-Muslim hatred.

The 36-year-old Scottish man was arrested on Friday and charged with incidents that took place on June 19, 2026, police said on Saturday. Footage posted online showed a bare-chested man roaming the streets with a large weapon, while another clip showed a man battering the door of a pizzeria. A third video appeared to show a shirtless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.

The first incident was reported on Friday evening in the Sighthill area, where two men were injured. Police then received reports of incidents around retailers in the west and north of the city. In the Telford Road and Leith Walk area, three other men were allegedly attacked. The victims, aged 22 to 39, suffered various injuries; three required hospital treatment for wounds not considered life-threatening.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton called it a “shocking” incident and said there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated: “The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face full force of the law.”

Scottish First Minister John Swinney condemned the violence, saying there is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in the country. The Scottish Association of Mosques said two victims were attacked after prayers, while the Muslim Council of Britain said the community was “rightly anxious” and criticised political rhetoric that demonises an entire community. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified by news of the attack in Edinburgh” and emphasised that there is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims.