A man has appeared in court charged with five counts of attempted murder “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection” after a series of attacks in Edinburgh on Friday.
Lewis Hawkes, 36, from Edinburgh, was also charged with one count of assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct.
All of the above are aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection, the Crown Office said.
Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate the attacks across the city which left five people injured.
The attacks are suspected to have an anti-Muslim motivation.
Hawkes did not submit a plea during a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
He was committed for further examination and remanded in custody, ahead of another court appearance within eight days.
Officers were first called to a report of an incident in the Sighthill area, where two men were injured, at about 8.50pm on Friday.
Police said three other men were then allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk areas of the capital.
Police said two men aged 22, and others aged 24, 27 and 39, sustained a range of injuries and three needed hospital treatment, however, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
The organisation Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) said several of those injured are Muslim.
Footage posted online showed a bare-chested white man roaming the streets of Edinburgh with a large weapon, while another clip seemed to show a man battering the door of a pizzeria.
Police closed off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the incidents unfolded and another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he was “protecting the country” as he was held by an officer.
In a post on X, Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” by these incidents.
“There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country,” he wrote.
“I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the Government.”
Speaking to the Press Association, on Monday, he said he wanted to send a message of “solidarity and sympathy and empathy” to those affected, and also to the wider Muslim community in Scotland.
Superintendent Neil Wilson, of Police Scotland, said concerns might be “heightened” in the wake of the alleged attacks.
He said: “It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.”
He added: “We are carrying out a community impact assessment and will closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all communities, and we are prepared to respond promptly to any emerging issues.”
