A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a shocking beheading attack in north Belfast in February 2023. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the suspect will appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The incident took place on Kinnaird Avenue and was captured on social media, showing bystanders intervening as the suspect threatened a victim with a kitchen knife.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher revealed that the suspect travelled from Sudan to Paris, then Dublin, before crossing into Belfast via the Common Travel Area. Upon arrival, he sought asylum and was granted leave to remain in the UK in September 2023 for five years.
Disturbing footage circulated on social media showed the man holding a knife to the victim’s throat while making a sawing motion. Witnesses screamed that the attacker was attempting to behead the victim, who was later taken to hospital with head injuries.
Bystanders bravely intervened to stop the attack, with one individual striking the suspect with a hurling stick. Police recovered the kitchen knife used in the assault and described the event as a ‘critical incident’.
The PSNI stated that they do not consider the incident to be terror-related. Following the attack, local businesses have increased security measures amid concerns about potential unrest.
The suspect was initially misidentified as Somali but has been confirmed by police as Sudanese.
The man is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court where formal charges of attempted murder will be addressed, marking a significant development in this high-profile case.
Originally published by UKNIP.
