Riots broke out in the Northern Irish capital Belfast on Tuesday evening. Groups of mainly young men have gathered in various places in the city, partly masked and dressed in black. writes the Belfast Telegraph. Groups of men block roads and a bus, garbage bins and several cars have been set on fire. People have also gathered in other British cities.
A stabbing incident took place in north Belfast on Monday evening. According to the Belfast Telegraph images are circulating on social media showing a man stabbing another man several times. The forty-year-old victim is in hospital with serious injuries. Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke of a “sickening attack”. Following the incident, a thirty-year-old Sudanese man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Even before the suspect’s nationality was confirmed, several groups announced anti-immigration demonstrations in response to the incident. Tommy Robinson (pseudonym of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), instigator of far-right protests in the United Kingdom, among others, called via X called for demonstrations following the incident.
Fearing disturbances, the local police increased their presence in Belfast. Earlier on Monday, the head of Northern Ireland’s police force, Jon Boutcher, expressed concern about possible disturbances and called for calm. “Don’t let people who know nothing about Northern Ireland influence the behavior of our people in Northern Ireland from a distance via social media.”