A man accused of a series of knife and axe attacks across Edinburgh allegedly shouted anti-Muslim slurs as he was pinned to the ground, telling witnesses he was “protecting the country” from “Muslim b******s” he claimed were “raping our young daughters”. Lewis Hawkes, 36, made no plea during a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, where he was remanded in custody on charges that prosecutors have officially linked to terrorism.
Charges and legal proceedings
The Crown Office has charged Hawkes with five counts of attempted murder, each aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection. In addition, he faces single counts of assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace, and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct – all carrying the same terrorism aggravation. The charges were brought on Saturday, June 21, the day after the attacks, and Hawkes appeared in court on Monday, June 22. He is expected to appear again within eight days. Counter-terrorism officers from Police Scotland are leading the investigation, with Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton describing the incident as “shocking”. Superintendent Neil Wilson said that while there is no wider threat to the public, the probe remains active and officers are aware of community concerns.
Attacks across the city
The violence began at around 8.30pm on Friday, June 19, near Broomhouse Mosque in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh. Two 22-year-old men, who had recently left evening prayers at the mosque, were stabbed multiple times. Approximately 45 minutes later, an axe was thrown through the window of a taxi on Telford Road, near Crewe Toll; the driver avoided injury by moving his car forward just an inch as the weapon was hurled. At about 9.28pm, shelves were overturned in a shop on Ferry Road in Leith. Two minutes later, three more men – aged 24, 27 and 39 – were attacked on Leith Walk. A witness described a bicycle courier being assaulted and a minicab having its window smashed. CCTV footage released by police shows a topless man driving erratically before abandoning his car and lunging at a random black man and a delivery rider while smoking and wielding two large knives. In total, five men were injured, three of whom required hospital treatment. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening. Several of the victims are understood to be Muslim.
Alleged motivation and hateful rhetoric
The attacks are being investigated as suspected anti-Muslim hate crimes. During his arrest, Hawkes was allegedly heard shouting: “I’m protecting the country from these f****g Muslim b******s raping our young daughters, raping our kids. Enough is enough.” UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that the suspect “appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred”. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney condemned the attacks, saying: “Acts of hatred and division will not define Scotland.” Former First Minister Humza Yousaf linked the violence to recent political rhetoric, specifically pointing to a report by far-right MP Rupert Lowe that made unfounded claims about “white girls” being raped by “Muslim gangs”. Yousaf suggested such language may have contributed to a climate in which these attacks became possible. Daniel Gilius, Scotland Regional Manager of Muslim Engagement & Development (MEND), said the Muslim community is feeling “shock but not surprise” and noted that Islamophobia “is nothing new”. He criticised social media platforms for “prioritising profits over safety” and said voices that would normally condemn far-right extremism are “fading into silence”. The Scottish Association of Mosques described the incident as “the latest in an alarming pattern of hostility and violence directed towards Muslims, Mosques and Islamic institutions across Scotland”, adding that a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric online and offline has caused “a profound sense of shock, alarm and anger”. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed solidarity with Scotland’s Muslim community, urging leaders to reject anti-Muslim rhetoric and take concrete action against Islamophobia, noting a broader increase in such incidents across Western nations.
Community and official reaction
First Minister John Swinney visited both Broomhouse Mosque and Annandale Mosque to meet with victims and community members, offering messages of solidarity, sympathy and empathy. He emphasised that Scotland stands for inclusivity and compassion and that everyone should feel safe. MEND’s Daniel Gilius, who has previously taken part in Islamophobia Awareness Month events including workshops with Amnesty International, highlighted that the attacks come at a time of heightened tensions and that “comments which incite hate and even celebrate violence are becoming part of daily life”. The Scottish Association of Mosques reiterated that the violence is part of a wider pattern of hostility towards Islamic institutions across the country.
