Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders after Edinburgh attacks

A 36-year-old man has been charged with five counts of attempted murder “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection” after a series of attacks in Edinburgh last Friday.

Lewis Hawkes has also been charged with assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct, all of which were also aggravated by reason of a terrorist connection.

Hawkes appeared in private at Edinburgh sheriff court on Monday but made no plea or declaration, and has been remanded in custody with a further court appearance expected within the next eight days.

The investigation into the series of attacks across Edinburgh last Friday is being led by specialist counter-terrorism officers.

Speaking before the charges were confirmed, John Swinney said victims of the allegedly anti-Muslim attacks had been deeply traumatised by their experiences.

Scotland’s first minister spoke to some of the five men injured in the series of attacks that appeared to target Muslims and people of colour around the city on Friday evening, with four taken to hospital.

Read more: The Guardian