Unrest in Belfast Following Stabbing Incident

In Belfast, Northern Ireland, police employed water cannons to manage violent protests. Demonstrators, many masked, confronted officers by throwing bricks, rocks, and bottles. The unrest followed the court appearance of a Sudanese man, charged with attempted murder over a stabbing that led to anti-immigrant riots.

Protesters vandalized property, tearing bricks from walls and dismantling sidewalks. They also used sections of a picket fence for cover against law enforcement. The protests occurred hours after Hadi Alodid, accused of stabbing Stephen Ogilvie, appeared in court. Alodid was ordered to remain in custody. The attack left Ogilvie blind in one eye. Alodid reportedly told hospital staff he might have killed someone following the assault.

Tuesday’s violence saw masked men set fire to residences suspected of housing immigrants. Firefighters saved several individuals from burning buildings, leaving over 24 people homeless. Anselme Shima, a local of Congolese descent, expressed fear of becoming a target. Families, including one with a baby, were evacuated for safety.

Police commitment remained strong, preparing for a possible increase in unrest by deploying 200 additional officers. Transport services ceased early as a precaution. The Ogilvie family called for peace, emphasizing the contributions immigrants make. Politicians from Northern Ireland’s leadership condemned the violence. First Minister Michelle O’Neill labeled the actions as cowardice, while Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly criticized the misplaced anger.

The stabbing was captured on video and circulated online, fueling anti-immigration sentiments. Alodid entered Northern Ireland in 2023, applied for asylum, and received a five-year residency permit. Police found no evidence linking the attack to terrorism. Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the violence as intolerable, speaking against the disorder seen in Belfast.

Justice Minister Naomi Long criticized online agitation for exploiting local fears. Tensions raised questions about the openness of the Irish border, a sensitive element of the peace process after decades of conflict known as “The Troubles.” In working-class regions with paramilitary influences, violence erupted.

A separate incident involved a student in Southampton, England, exacerbating anti-immigrant rhetoric. Henry Nowak’s murder by Vickrum Digwa, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, also sparked unrest. Political leaders dismissed attempts to link immigration to these incidents.

Overall, Belfast faces a challenging atmosphere amid calls for calm and unity.