Sudanese National Arrested in Belfast Stabbing Probe; Anti-Immigrant Protests Turn Violent
Sudanese Arrested in Belfast Stabbing Probe; Anti-Immigrant Protests Turn Violent Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 08:31 IST Sudanese man held for attempted murder
Sudanese Arrested in Belfast Stabbing Probe; Anti-Immigrant Protests Turn Violent Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 08:31 IST Sudanese man held for attempted murder after Belfast knife attack, PM Keir Starmer urges calm as anti immigration protests turn violent. A burning bus is seen as protesters gather on the Newtownards road in east Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the evening of June 9, 2026. (Photo: AFP) A man believed to be Sudanese has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a brutal knife attack in north Belfast, an incident that has sparked anti-immigration protests and unrest across parts of the city. The suspect, believed to be in his 30s, remains in police custody after the attack, which took place at around 10:30 pm local time on Monday. Police said they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident and have recovered what they believe to be a kitchen knife from the scene. Graphic footage circulating on social media showed members of the public confronting the alleged attacker before police arrived. The video appeared to show several individuals attempting to restrain the suspect, including one person carrying a hurling stick.
Authorities have urged the public not to share the disturbing footage or spread unverified information while the investigation remains ongoing. PM Keir Starmer Condemned The Attack The stabbing quickly became a flashpoint for wider tensions surrounding immigration, prompting demonstrations that later escalated into violence. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack and called for restraint. He described the stabbing as “sickening" and said that he had “no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets." His office added that “it is time for calm," stressing that “it’s important that police have the time and space to investigate appropriately." Political reactions also emerged in Westminster. Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, told Parliament that the alleged perpetrator was living in the United Kingdom on a five-year visa and called on authorities to address what he described as “uncontrolled immigration." However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he could not confirm whether the suspect had entered the UK illegally. Protests Turn Violent What began as anti-immigration demonstrations on Tuesday evening soon descended into disorder across parts of Belfast.
According to AFP, hundreds of protesters, many wearing masks, gathered at several locations throughout the city. Some demonstrators set fire to vehicles, blocked major roads and clashed with police. AFP journalists reported that a bus and multiple cars were torched, while a building near Belfast city centre caught fire, forcing residents to evacuate. Residents described chaotic scenes as violence intensified. “By 7:30 pm (18:30 GMT) they started fire in the bins…we heard police cars and sirens," one resident, Eemran, an engineer, told AFP. “More and more people started coming, they started throwing petrol bombs," he added. Several residents were evacuated from the affected building as emergency services responded to the blaze. Police and government officials repeatedly appealed for calm throughout the day, warning that the circulation of graphic images and misinformation risked inflaming tensions further. Probe Continues The stabbing investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack. Meanwhile, authorities face the challenge of containing unrest and restoring order after a night of violence that left vehicles burned, roads blocked and communities on edge.
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