Scotland Counter-Terror Police arrest man after Edinburgh stabbings; religious hatred suspected

Scotland's Counter-Terrorism Police arrested a 36-year-old man in Edinburgh after he stabbed five men, at least two of them Muslims who had just finished prayers, according to reports from Israeli security channels citing local sources. Upon arrest, the suspect reportedly said he was "protecting the country from the Muslim scum who rape our girls and children — enough is enough." Police are investigating a religious-hate motive.

Scotland’s Counter-Terrorism Police arrested a 36-year-old man in Edinburgh early Sunday morning after he stabbed five men, at least two of whom are described as Muslims who had just finished prayers, according to reports carried by Israeli security channels citing local sources. The suspect was overheard or stated upon arrest: "I'm protecting the country from the Muslim scum who rape our girls and children — enough is enough."

As The Zioneer first reported at 20:31 Saturday evening, police had made an arrest in the same series of stabbings and counter-terror units had joined the investigation, examining a religious-hatred motive. In that initial bulletin, the suspect was reported to have shouted Islamophobic statements vowing to protect the country. The new detail reported by Israeli security channels — the suspect’s alleged full quote — further points to an extremist anti-Muslim ideological motive. Both the 20:31 bulletins share the same suspect’s age and the same count of five wounded; the later bulletin adds the explicit statement.

Police have not yet officially confirmed the quoted remark. The investigation remains open. The incident is being treated as a possible terrorism-related hate crime, pending further evidence.

4 developments

1. 28 minutes ago · 05:47 · 21 JunLatest

   Suspect formally charged; indictment cites anti-Muslim hate speech during the attack.

2. 04:46 · 21 Jun

   Counter-terror police arrested a 36-year-old man following the Edinburgh stabbings.

3. 21:55 · 20 Jun

   Police are specifically investigating a possible religious-hate motive in the attack.

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