A 36 year old Scottish man has been charged with five counts of attempted murder aggravated by a terrorist connection following a series of suspected anti Muslim attacks across Edinburgh that left five men injured.

Lewis Hawkes appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after being arrested following the attacks on Friday, June 19.

Counter Terrorism Policing Scotland is leading the investigation, supported by Police Scotland officers and other specialist national capabilities.

Police initially received reports at about 8.50pm that two men had been injured in the Sighthill area near Broomhouse Mosque. Both were taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Further incidents were subsequently reported across the west and north of Edinburgh, including the Telford Road and Leith Walk areas, where three more men were injured.

FIVE MEN INJURED

Police Scotland said the victims were two men aged 22 and three others aged 24, 27 and 39.

Three required hospital treatment, although police said none of the injuries was considered life threatening.

The Scottish Association of Mosques said two worshippers were attacked after leaving Broomhouse Mosque.

Footage circulated online during the incidents appeared to show a bare chested man carrying a large weapon through the streets.

Another video appeared to show a man making anti Muslim remarks while being detained by police. Authorities have been investigating the suspected ideological motivation behind the attacks.

SUSPECT FACES TERRORISM LINKED CHARGES

Hawkes was subsequently charged with five counts of attempted murder aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection.

He also faces one count of assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct. Those charges were also described by prosecutors as aggravated by a terrorist connection.

Hawkes did not enter a plea during his initial private hearing and was remanded in custody pending further court proceedings. The charges remain allegations and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.

STARMER CONDEMNS ATTACKS

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence and said the suspect appeared to have been motivated by anti Muslim hatred.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton also condemned racism and faith based hatred while reassuring communities that there was no continuing threat to the wider public following the arrest.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney later visited Broomhouse Mosque and Annandale Mosque, where he met victims and members of the Muslim community.

Swinney said no one in Scotland should fear being targeted because of their identity and pledged solidarity with Muslim communities following the attacks.

Police have continued appealing for witnesses and anyone with video, doorbell or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation to provide it to investigators.