The city of Belfast experienced a night of serious unrest after a 30-year-old man, identified as a Sudanese asylum seeker with a residence permit in the United Kingdom, was charged with attempted murder for the stabbing of a resident of the Northern Irish capital. The attack, which occurred on Monday night and was broadcast through a video on social networks, has caused a wave of indignation that has led to protests and episodes of violence in different parts of Northern Ireland.
The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, aged about 40, remains hospitalized with extremely serious injuries. As confirmed by his family, he has lost his left eye as a result of the attack. Images shared online show how a man repeatedly attacked the victim in the head and neck while he remained on the ground. Several people intervened to stop the attack until the emergency services arrived.
The accused, Hadi Alodid, appeared before a Belfast court on Wednesday accused of attempted murder, death threats and possession of a knife. The Northern Ireland Police have indicated that the suspect arrived in Belfast from Dublin in February 2023 and obtained a five-year residence permit in September of that same year. Authorities have reported that, at the moment, there is no evidence linking the attack to terrorism.
The spread of the video quickly triggered calls for mobilization from activists and commentators linked to the British and international far right. Hours later, groups of protesters took to the streets of Belfast and other towns in Northern Ireland. During the night, vehicles, homes and businesses were set on fire, while several buses were attacked and some roads were blocked. There were also clashes with the police and acts of vandalism against businesses run by immigrants.
The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, has condemned the violence and denounced attempts to take advantage of the attack to fuel social tension. “Groups of hooded men burning families outside their homes have nothing to do with the community. It is pure crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, several migrant communities have expressed fear of becoming targets of reprisals. Sudanese traders closed their establishments earlier than usual and the Islamic Center of Belfast suspended activities planned for the evening for security reasons.
The victim’s family asks for the violence to stop
Stephen Ogilvie’s family also launched a public appeal to prevent aggression from being used to foment hate. In a statement, they thanked the help provided by the citizens who intervened during the attack and stressed that “riots are not welcome” and that any protest must take place peacefully. In addition, they remembered the contribution that many immigrants make in essential sectors such as health and hospitality.
The authorities are keeping the investigation open while Belfast remains under strong social tension after one of the most serious episodes of violence recorded in the city in recent years.
