PM Starmer Threatens Rioters as Alleged Knifeman Named in Court
A Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder after a Belfast knife attack left the victim with severe injuries including loss of an eye, sparking widespread unrest across Northern Ireland.
Steven Ogilvy, the victim of what police have described as an attempted beheading in north Belfast this week, has lost one eye and sustained serious damage to the other, along with deep lacerations to his neck, according to Breitbart News. He remains hospitalized in serious condition.
The alleged attacker, 30-year-old Hadi Alodid, a Sudanese national, appeared before a Belfast court via video link from the high security Musgrave Street Police Barracks. Alodid refused legal representation and offered minimal responses to the presiding judge through an Arabic interpreter.
Alodid faces charges of attempted murder of Ogilvy and possession of a knife in a public place. An additional charge of threatening to kill was filed after an incident at a Belfast hospital following his arrest, as Breitbart News reports. The court heard that while being treated by police at the hospital, Alodid told an NHS radiographer I’ll kill you, indicating he possesses at least basic English language skills.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective testified that the suspect also stated while hospitalized: “I’ve killed someone, I don’t know if they are dead.” Alodid was denied bail after police argued that releasing him would risk significant public disorder. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance in July.
The judge used Alodid’s first hearing to issue a public warning to Northern Ireland residents, stating that anyone participating in the anti-beheading protests that erupted Tuesday night could expect prison sentences.
Prime Minister Issues Warning Following Belfast Riots
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to Tuesday’s riots with a stern statement calling the scenes shocking and completely unacceptable. The Prime Minister appeared to focus his criticism on the protests rather than the original violent attack, stating that people were targeted because of their background and promising that those responsible would face the full force of the law.
During remarks in the House of Commons, Starmer characterized the riot as totally unjustified.
What began as peaceful demonstrations against the beheading attempt on Tuesday escalated into riots across Belfast as evening fell. In some areas, targeted attacks occurred against minority residents. One African family had their windows broken while inside their home on Crumlin Road. A priest reported that families were being driven from their homes because of their race. In another part of the city, a group of approximately 100 masked men reportedly kicked in doors while declaring they were getting the foreigners out.
Police Reinforcements Deployed As Authorities Blame Social Media
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher announced that 200 additional officers would be deployed to Ulster from Great Britain to patrol streets and prevent further unrest. The police chief blamed social media for fanning the flames of discontent, suggesting that without online posts informing the public about criminal events, the violence would not have occurred.
Boutcher stated his force would be going after social media influencers posting about Northern Ireland online, arguing that residents were being persuaded by people who know nothing about Northern Ireland, its communities, or its history. He warned online agitators that police know who was inciting behavior the previous night and that they would be pursued for their actions.
With information from Breitbart News
