An axe narrowly missed a taxi driver in a suspected terror attack in Edinburgh after the blade was hurled through the rear passenger window of his cab. Counter-terror police have confirmed they are investigating the series of assaults, which left five men injured across multiple locations in the city on Friday evening.
CCTV footage and social media videos appear to show 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. The same suspect is alleged to have thrown an axe through the window of a taxi – an attack the driver avoided by moving his car forward just a few inches as the weapon was launched. Daniel Gilius, Scotland Regional Manager of Muslim Engagement & Development (MEND), told the community that the driver was “just seconds from severe injury” and that only the forward movement of the car prevented serious harm. The suspect also damaged property, including a pizzeria door and another taxi.
Victims and community impact
Five men were injured in the attacks, which unfolded rapidly from around 8:50 pm on Friday 19 June 2026. Two of the victims are aged 22, with others aged 24, 27 and 39. Three of the injured required hospital treatment, though none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening. Two of the younger victims – both aged 22 – had attended Broomhouse mosque shortly before the attack and were later assaulted in Sighthill Park near the mosque after evening prayers. MEND confirmed that several of the injured are well known to the community, and that the two younger victims had only arrived in the city a couple of weeks ago.
Mr Gilius said: “During my time in the community yesterday, I heard about the taxi driver who was attacked resulting in an axe being launched through the rear passenger window… Two of the younger victims are known to have only arrived in the city a couple of weeks ago, they had recently attended the mosque prior to the attack.” The Scottish Association of Mosques expressed “deep alarm” at the incident, noting that the two injured men had attended prayers at their local mosque.
Alleged motive and the rise of online Islamophobia
The suspect was allegedly heard shouting as he was pinned to the floor by officers: “I’m protecting the country from these f****g Muslim b******s raping our young daughters, raping our kids. Enough is enough.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the suspect “appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred”. A 36-year-old white Scottish man has been charged and remanded in custody, and will appear in court in due course.
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – distanced himself from the attack despite having stoked Islamophobic rhetoric online. Mr Gilius commented: “Speaking broadly rather than about any particular individual, far right influencers are often quick to distance themselves when attacks take place, but we know that Islamophobic extremism has a root cause and that radicalisation takes place online with disastrous consequences.”
MEND Scotland criticised social media trolls who hailed the suspect as a “hero”. Mr Gilius said: “These hateful and vile comments on our social media posts are, sadly, no surprise. Despite these brutal attacks targeting innocent people, the far-right have no sympathy or compassion. Comments which incite hate and even celebrate violence are becoming part of daily life. Social media platforms continue to prioritise profits over safety and many users have become numb to even the most hateful posts. Islamophobia is nothing new, but one of the most alarming trends in recent months and years is voices whom we would usually expect to call our far-right extremism are fading into silence – or are toning down their words.”
The attacks come against a backdrop of rising anti-Muslim hatred across the UK. Monitoring group Tell MAMA recorded 6,313 anti-Muslim hate incidents in 2024 – a 43% increase on the previous year – while assault cases rose by 73% between 2023 and 2024. The Islamophobia Response Unit reported a 377% surge in incidents over the same period. Muslim organisations have linked the violence to what they describe as a “poisonous narrative” and “political rhetoric that demonises entire communities”. Former First Minister Humza Yousaf blamed figures such as Tommy Robinson and Rupert Lowe for putting a “target on the backs of Muslims”. The far-right “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory has also been cited as a factor contributing to anti-Muslim hatred. Online platforms – including gaming sites – are being used by far-right extremists to target and radicalise teenagers, according to monitoring groups.
Stand Up To Racism expressed solidarity with the victims and condemned the attack as a consequence of divisive political rhetoric. The Muslim Council of Britain said the Muslim community is “rightly nervous and worried”.
Investigation and official response
Counter-terrorism police are working alongside Police Scotland and the investigation is being conducted under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. A Major Incident Public Portal has been established for witnesses to submit information directly to the police. Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: “I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks as “absolutely appalling” and declared: “No one should face violence on our streets. The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her horror, stating: “There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country.” First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” and stressed: “There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country.”
The Edinburgh attacks follow other recent incidents of concern, including alleged racist pogroms in Belfast targeting minority families and a racially aggravated assault involving an axe at Edinburgh Waverley station in February 2026.
