A 36-year-old man, Lewis Hawkes, has been formally accused of committing acts of terrorism-linked attempted murders in Edinburgh, along with one charge of assault and robbery, two charges of breach of the peace, and two charges of culpable and reckless conduct. These charges are all aggravated by their connection to terrorism, as stated by the Crown Office.
The incidents, suspected to be anti-Muslim in nature, led to the injury of five men, including two aged 22 and others aged 24, 27, and 39. Following the attacks, counter-terrorism officers initiated an investigation on Friday.
The attacks targeted individuals at Broomhouse Mosque and Leith Walk. Two of the victims, who were aged 22, were stabbed multiple times after leaving prayers at the mosque. The other three men were assaulted on Leith Walk.
During a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, Hawkes did not enter a plea. He has been detained in custody pending a further court appearance within eight days.
Multiple incidents were reported across Edinburgh on the evening of the attacks. Two 22-year-old men, believed to have recently finished prayers at the mosque, were stabbed at Sighthill Park and taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
In another incident, a taxi was vandalized at a Shell garage on Telford Road, where a hatchet was found alongside broken glass. CCTV footage captured a man at a BP garage on Ferry Road smashing windows and causing damage inside the kiosk.
The suspect, later identified as the same individual, was seen on Leith Walk armed with weapons, chasing a man on an e-bike. He then attacked another man who had disembarked from a tram, striking him with knives. The suspect also targeted a delivery driver on an e-bike before the police intervened.
Following the attacks, Police Scotland engaged with over 90 multi-faith organizations in Edinburgh. Superintendent Neil Wilson emphasized the importance of supporting all communities in Scotland to ensure they can live without fear of hatred or intimidation.
Wilson called for unity and collaboration among communities to prevent marginalization or isolation of any individual or group in Scotland.