Overview
- A man in his 40s was brutally stabbed on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast on Monday and remains in hospital with life-changing injuries, including the loss of his left eye and severe damage to his right eye.
- Police charged 30-year-old Hadi Alodid with attempted murder, threats to kill and possession of a knife; he appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court, made no reply to the charges and was remanded in custody.
- Video of the attack circulated online and triggered organised anti-immigration protests that turned violent on Tuesday, with masked groups setting houses, vehicles and a bus on fire and forcing evacuations.
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland declared a critical incident, made multiple arrests, rescued families from burning buildings and deployed extra officers with mutual aid to regain control of the streets.
- High-profile social posts and far-right figures amplified the clip and promoted street action, prompting widespread political condemnation and sharpening national debate over asylum rules, border checks and online radicalisation.