The family of Stephen Ogilvie, the man who was seriously injured in a knife attack in Belfast, have called for calm and dismissed the violent disturbances that broke out across the city in the wake of the incident.“We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight disturbances are not welcome, and that peaceful protest is the only way forward,” the family said in a statement shared via Philip Brett, the Democratic Unionist MP for North Belfast, on Wednesday.Ogilvie remains in hospital with devastating injuries, including the loss of his left eye, damage to his right eye, and cuts to his neck and back, according to details provided to the court.
Extending the suspect’s detention
Hadi Al-Did, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, appeared before a Belfast court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill an NHS radiologist, and possessing a knife.Police previously said Aldide entered the UK in 2023 and was later granted refugee status. He was detained for four weeks after the court refused bail. The case was postponed until next July 8.During the hearing, Judge Stephen Keon expressed his sympathy to the victim and paid tribute to members of the public and emergency responders who came to his aid.
He also issued a warning to those involved in the unrest, saying anyone involved in the violence could expect a prison sentence.
Violent late-night protests rock Belfast
The court appearance came after hours of violent protests that swept parts of Belfast on Tuesday evening. The rioters set fire to homes, vehicles, and a bus, while roads were closed in several areas.According to reports, hundreds of masked men gathered in a neighborhood chanting anti-immigrant slogans, including “Get the foreigners out.”
Police said additional officers would be deployed across the city on Wednesday, while public transport services were forced to close early due to security concerns.The unrest followed footage of the knife attack circulated on Monday night on social media, quickly inflaming tensions.
Starmer condemns violence against immigrants
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned the unrest, describing the scenes in Belfast as “shocking and completely unacceptable.”“It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate that,” Starmer said on Wednesday.
He pledged that those responsible for attacking homes, setting fire to vehicles and clashing with police would face “the full force of the law.”
The Prime Minister’s intervention came amid growing concerns about anti-immigrant sentiment and the targeting of minority communities during the violence.
The family thanks the rescuers, and refuses to be divided
In their statement, Ogilvie’s family expressed their gratitude to the bystanders who intervened during the attack, saying their actions may have saved his life.They said: “We want to express our deep thanks to the local people who bravely intervened during the attack. Your quick actions completely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him.”The family also thanked emergency services and hospital staff caring for Ogilvie, while urging anyone with information about the attack to co-operate with police.They rejected attempts to use the incident to inflame hostility towards immigrants, and stressed that many immigrants make valuable contributions to British society, particularly in healthcare and hospitality.“We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or inflame hostility,” the family said, calling for unity as Ogilvie continues his recovery.
