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 appeared motivated by "anti-Muslim hatred".

Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate the attacks across Scotland's capital on Friday which left five people injured.

The force said on Saturday a white Scottish man was in custody.

"A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of incidents which took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June, 2026," it said on X.

Footage posted online showed a bare-chested white man roaming the streets of Edinburgh with a large weapon and while another clip seems to show a man battering the door of a pizzeria.

Starmer posted on X, linking to an image of a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon.

"Absolutely appalling. No one should face 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 who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response."

Police Scotland said the 36-year-old man was arrested late on Friday after officers received multiple reports of attacks in the west and north of the city.

The force said that five men - two of them age 22, and others ages 24, 27 and 39 - sustained a range of injuries and three needed hospital treatment. None of the injuries is considered life-threatening.

The charity Muslim Engagement and Development said that several of those injured are Muslim. The Scottish Association of Mosques said that two of the injured men were attacked after attending prayers at their local mosque.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that she was "horrified by news of the attack in Edinburgh".

"There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims," she said.

"I know it is not who we are as a country."

The Muslim Council of Britain said the Muslim community is "rightly nervous and worried."

The violence was "a direct consequence of political rhetoric that demonises entire communities", it said in a statement.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said that 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 hate in a Scotland, which is at its best when we stand together," she said.

with PA