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2026 Edinburgh attacks

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2026 Edinburgh attacks
Broomhouse Mosque in 2016
Telford Road petrol station in 2015
Ferry Road’s BP petrol station in June 2026
The area of the Leith Walk attacks, shown in 2015
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3km
1.9miles
Ferry Road
Leith Walk
Telford Road
Sighthill Park
LocationEdinburgh, Scotland
Date19 June 2026
20:30–21:30 (BST (UTC+1))
TargetMuslims
Attack type
Stabbings
WeaponsKnives, axe
Deaths0
Injured5
MotiveIslamophobia
Charges

On the night of 19 June 2026, a man allegedly carried out a series of stabbing attacks in Edinburgh, Scotland that appeared to target Muslims. Five men received non-life-threatening injuries. A 36-year-old white Scottish man has been charged with the attacks, which have been classed as terrorism.

Background

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Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment has been rising in the United Kingdom in recent years.[1] A study by the British Future think tank and the British Muslim Trust found that one in six Britons considered the growth of the Muslim population to be "a foundational threat to UK culture" and that hostile attitudes towards Muslims risked being normalised.[2] In early June 2026 there were far-right riots in Northern Ireland and Southampton.[1] Edinburgh saw anti-immigrant demonstrations following the stabbing in Belfast perpetrated by a Sudanese man.[3]

Attacks

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At around 8:30 pm on 19 June 2026 two 22-year-old men were stabbed multiple times at Sighthill Park in the south-west of Edinburgh.[4][5] The victims had been attending Asr prayer at the nearby mosque in Broomhouse.[4][5][6] Police were called to Sighthill at around 8:50 pm.[7][8] Both men were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.[8]

Police then received reports of attacks on shops in the west and north of Edinburgh.[9] Video posted on social media showed a bare-chested man roaming the streets with a weapon.[10] CCTV footage obtained by the BBC showed the man carrying two large knives.[11]

Footage from 9:15 pm showed a taxi with its windows smashed and a hand axe on the seat at the Shell petrol station on Telford Road, about five miles from Sighthill.[4][5][8] CCTV footage from the BP petrol station on Ferry Road showed a man standing next to a black vehicle with its windscreen smashed at 9:28 pm.[4][5][8] The man entered the petrol station's kiosk where he damaged various fixtures and fittings.[8] CCTV footage then shows the man abandoning a dark car on Leith Walk and chasing an e-bike on foot before returning to the car.[11] He then leaves the car again and proceeds to attack a black man with the two large knives.[11] He then went to the Origano pizzeria on Leith Walk and attacked the door repeatedly as staff closed the electronic shutters.[8] A delivery driver on an e-bike was then attacked and a minicab had a window smashed.[5][11] Three men were attacked in Telford Road and the Leith Walk area.[7][8]

The attacker was arrested on Leith Walk at around 9:30 pm by police officers carrying tasers, though none were discharged.[7][8] Footage of the arrest shared on social media appears to show the suspect shouting that he was "protecting the country from these fucking Muslim bastards raping our young daughters, raping our kids".[12][13]

Five men – two aged 22 and three others aged 24, 27, and 39 – were injured in the attack.[14] Four required hospital treatment but none suffered life threatening injuries.[11][15] SAC and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) have said several of the victims were Muslims.[16][17] The attacker appeared to target Muslims.[18][19]

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A 36-year-old white Scottish man was charged with the attack.[20][21] Counter terrorism officers joined Police Scotland in investigating the attacks.[18][22]

The attacker appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 22 June 2026 to face five charges of attempted murder, one count of assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct.[4][5] All charges were "aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection".[23][24] He made no plea and was remanded in custody.[5][25]

Reactions

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Green MSP Kate Nevens at a demonstration on 21 June 2026.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said he was concerned by the attacks and that "There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country".[26][27] UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer tweeted that he was appalled by the attacks and that "No one should face violence on our streets. The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred".[28][29] Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was horrified by the attacks which appeared "to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred" and that "“There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims".[30][31]

The Muslim Council of Britain attributed the attacks directly to the "political rhetoric that demonises entire communities" and urged Muslims to "stay vigilant, look out for one another, and please report any Islamophobic hate crimes to the police".[13][32] MEND urged the police to treat the attacks as "Islamophobic, far-right terror".[16]

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf accused Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe of making Muslims targets for violence through public remarks Yousaf described as dogwhistling.[33] The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) also released a statement describing the attack as "the product of right-wing forces, both in our politics and in our media, whipping people into a false frenzy of hatred and division".[34] On 21 June, around 100 people gathered on Leith Walk for a demonstration of solidarity with the local community.[35]

References

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  1. ^ a b Martin, Nik (20 June 2026). "Terror probe into suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh". Deutsche Welle. Bonn, Germany. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  2. ^ Osuh, Chris (15 June 2026). "One in six Britons think growth of Muslim population is 'threat to UK culture', study finds". The Guardian. London, UK. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  3. ^ Young, Iona (9 June 2026). "Protests across Scotland follow Belfast knife attack". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders in Edinburgh". BBC News. London, UK. 22 June 2026. Archived from the original on 22 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Carrell, Severin (22 June 2026). "Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders after Edinburgh attacks". The Guardian. London, UK. Archived from the original on 22 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  6. ^ "Counterterror police investigate after 5 hurt in Edinburgh attacks that appeared to target Muslims". NBC News. New York, USA. Associated Press. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  7. ^ a b c Badshah, Nadeem (21 June 2026). "Man charged after suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh". The Guardian. London, UK. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h McCool, Mary (20 June 2026). "Man charged after suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh". BBC News. London, UK. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  9. ^ William, Craig (21 June 2026). "Man charged over suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh". The Herald. Glasgow, UK. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  10. ^ "Police charge man with 'anti-Muslim' attacks in Edinburgh". The National. Glasgow, UK. Press Association. 21 June 2026. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d e McCool, Mary (21 June 2026). "CCTV shows moments leading up to arrest in anti-Muslim attacks probe". BBC News. London, UK. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  12. ^ "Scottish counter-terrorism police investigating 'anti-Muslim' Edinburgh attacks". Middle East Eye. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  13. ^ a b "Edinburgh Machete Attack on Muslims". London, UK: Muslim Council of Britain. 22 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  14. ^ "Edinburgh: Man charged over series of 'anti-Muslim' attacks". Sky News. London, UK. 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  15. ^ "Police Scotland update on attacks across Edinburgh on 19 June". Glasgow, UK: Police Scotland. Archived from the original on 20 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  16. ^ a b "Man charged over suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh". France 24. Paris, France. Agence France-Presse. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  17. ^ "Counterterror police investigate after five hurt in Edinburgh attacks appeared to target Muslims". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Associated Press. 21 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  18. ^ a b "Scottish counterterrorism police investigate Edinburgh attacks". ABC News. Ultimo, Australia. Agence France-Presse. 20 June 2026. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  19. ^ Lawless, Jill (20 June 2026). "Counterterror police investigate after 5 hurt in Edinburgh attacks that appeared to target Muslims". The Washington Post. Washington, DC, USA. Associated Press. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  20. ^ Turnbull, Craig (21 June 2026). "Man charged after suspected faith-based attacks leaves five injured". STV News. Glasgow, UK. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  21. ^ "Edinburgh attack suspect appears motivated by 'anti-Muslim hatred', PM says". ITV News. London, UK. 20 June 2026. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  22. ^ Hornung, Lisa (20 June 2026). "5 men stabbed in alleged anti-Muslim attack in Edinburgh, Scotland". United Press International. Boca Raton, USA. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  23. ^ Tahir, Tariq (22 June 2026). "Man charged with terrorism-related 'anti-Muslim attacks' in Edinburgh". The National. Glasgow, UK. Archived from the original on 22 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  24. ^ Forbes, Nick (22 June 2026). "Man in court over attempted murder and terrorism charges after multiple stabbings in Edinburgh". The Independent. London, UK. Archived from the original on 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  25. ^ Loudon, Callum (22 June 2026). "Man in court charged with attempted murder after 'anti-Muslim attacks'". STV News. Glasgow, UK. Archived from the original on 22 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  26. ^ @JohnSwinney (20 June 2026). "I am deeply concerned" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 June 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  27. ^ "Man charged over series of attacks in Edinburgh - police". RTÉ. Dublin, Ireland. Reuters. 21 June 2026. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  28. ^ @Keir_Starmer (20 June 2026). "Absolutely appalling" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 June 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  29. ^ "Suspect arrested after anti-Muslim stabbing rampage in Scotland". Al Jazeera. Doha, Qatar. 21 June 2026. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  30. ^ @ShabanaMahmood (20 June 2026). "I am horrified by news of the attack in Edinburgh" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 June 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  31. ^ Cameron, Lucinda; Pooran, Neil (20 June 2026). "Counter-terrorism police involved after five injured in Edinburgh incidents". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast, UK. Press Association Scotland. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  32. ^ "Police charge man after suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh". Al Jazeera. Doha, Qatar. 21 June 2026. Archived from the original on 22 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  33. ^ "Zack Polanski slams right-wing MPs after Edinburgh 'anti-Muslim' attack". The National. 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  34. ^ "Statement on anti-muslim attacks in Edinburgh". Scottish Trades Union Congress. 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  35. ^ Carrell, Severin (21 June 2026). "Taxi and Uber rider targeted in suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh, say witnesses". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
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