Belfast Stabbing Victim's Family Appeals for Calm Amid Unrest

The family of Stephen Ogilvie, the man critically injured in a knife attack in Belfast, has appealed for calm and rejected the violent unrest that erupted across the city in the aftermath of the incident. “We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward,” the family said in a statement shared via Phillip Brett, the Democratic Unionist MLA for Belfast North, on Wednesday, as authorities grappled with a second day of tensions following the attack. Ogilvie remains in hospital after suffering devastating injuries, including the loss of his left eye, damage to his right eye, and wounds to his neck and back, according to details presented in court.

Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, making threats to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. Police previously said Alodid entered the UK in 2023 and was later granted refugee status. He was remanded in custody for four weeks after the court refused bail. The case has been adjourned until July 8. During the hearing, Judge Steven Keown expressed sympathy for the victim and praised 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 engaging in violence could expect prison sentences.

The court appearance came hours after violent protests swept parts of Belfast on Tuesday night. Rioters set fire to houses, vehicles and a bus, while roads were blocked in several areas. According to reports, hundreds of masked men gathered in one neighbourhood chanting anti-immigrant slogans, including “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 the circulation of footage of Monday night's knife attack on social media, which rapidly fuelled tensions.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned the disorder, 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 it," Starmer said on Wednesday. He vowed that those responsible for attacking homes, setting vehicles ablaze and clashing with police would face the "full force of the law". The prime minister's intervention came amid growing concerns over anti-immigrant sentiment and the targeting of minority communities during the violence.

In their statement, Ogilvie's family expressed gratitude to bystanders who intervened during the attack, saying their actions likely saved his life. “We want to say a profound thank you to the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack. Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him,” they said. The family also thanked emergency services and hospital staff caring for Ogilvie, while urging anyone with information about the attack to cooperate with police. Rejecting attempts to use the incident to fuel hostility towards migrants, they 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 fuel hostility,” the family said, calling for unity as Ogilvie continues his recovery.