Northern Ireland police arrest Sudanese man after Belfast stabbing; urge calm amid far-right protest calls
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemns attack as 'sickening' while far-right figures call for anti-migration demonstrations across the UK
Police in Northern Ireland have arrested a 30-year-old Sudanese national on suspicion of attempted murder following a knife attack in Belfast that left a man in his 40s with serious injuries. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson declared the incident a critical incident but stated there are no current indications of a terrorist motive. The victim, who is currently receiving treatment, sustained severe injuries to his eyes, face, and back.
The suspect, who lives locally and was granted leave to remain after moving from Dublin, was apprehended after members of the public intervened to stop the attack before police arrived. Online footage showed the suspect continuing to assault the victim after he fell to the ground. Henderson confirmed the man is in custody and that police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as sickening and thanked members of the public for their intervention. Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, urged for clear, timely and transparent communication from authorities to address misinformation. She addressed parliament at Stormont, emphasising the need to establish facts and counter rumours as the investigation proceeds.
Police have appealed for calm as far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk, called for anti-migration protests across the UK. Robinson circulated a post appealing for widespread protests in 70 UK locations on Tuesday evening. Musk amplified Robinson’s call to action on his social media platform, stating that only protesting repeatedly and loudly will bring change.
This incident follows a week of migration-related riots in Northern Ireland last June, which were triggered by the alleged attempted rape of a schoolgirl by two Romanian nationals. Recent unrest in the UK also includes protests following the murder conviction of a Sikh man for killing a white university student in Southampton, England, in December. Authorities have expressed concern over a repeat of such events, with Henderson noting that nobody in Northern Ireland wants to see a repeat of the disorder seen in recent years.
