UK leaders call for calm as protests break out after Belfast street stabbing

LONDON — U.K. leaders have urged for calm following the arrest of a Sudanese man accused of attempting to murder a man in a brutal stabbing on a Belfast street. The incident has sparked anti-immigration protests due to the suspect being an asylum-seeker.

The victim, a man in his 40s, sustained serious injuries to his eyes, face, and back and was rushed to the hospital after the attack on Monday night in north Belfast, Northern Ireland, according to police reports.

The 30-year-old suspect, who remains unnamed, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place, and making threats to kill. A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene.

While authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack, there is no indication at this stage that it is linked to terrorism, stated Ryan Henderson, assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He also mentioned that no other suspects are being sought.

The incident has caused alarm in the community, with Northern Ireland’s leaders and chief constable urging the public not to incite hate or target specific communities amid reports of planned protests.

In response to the incident, protesters in Belfast set fire to a bus, cars, and trash bins in various parts of the city. Meanwhile, demonstrations in Southampton, England, were fueled by recent violent clashes following the sentencing of a man for killing a university student.

The attack in Belfast has raised questions about the suspect’s immigration status, prompting calls from some politicians to address “uncontrolled immigration.” The suspect, who entered the U.K. on a five-year visa in September 2023, had traveled from Sudan to Paris and Dublin before seeking asylum in Belfast, as per Northern Ireland’s chief constable Jon Boutcher.

While expressing condemnation for the attack, political leaders emphasized the need for a calm and measured response to allow the police to conduct a thorough investigation.

Efforts are being made to discourage the spread of graphic images and misinformation about the incident as authorities work towards ensuring peace and stability in the aftermath of the violent attack.