Violence broke out after police charged a 30-year-old Sudanese man with attempted murder in relation to a knife attack in Belfast.
Two officers were injured as police battled violent anti-immigration protests in Belfast on Tuesday following a stabbing in the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Vehicles and buildings were set alight as hundreds of people took to the streets in response to the attack, graphic footage of which has been circulating online.
The video shows a man straddling another man in the middle of a street as he slashes at his head and neck with a knife before a group intervenes.
Northern Ireland police charged a 30-year-old Sudanese man with attempted murder in relation to the incident, which occurred in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday evening.
The suspect was reportedly named in court on Wednesday as Hadi Alodid. He has been remanded in custody.
The victim, Stephen Ogilvy, was taken to hospital with "serious injuries to his eyes and slash-wound injuries to his back and face," police said.
Protests also broke out across Scotland on Tuesday night, with demonstrators marching through Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr.
Police said two officers and three members of the public were left with injuries following a demonstration in Glasgow. Three men, aged 31, 18 and 18 were also arrested and charged in the city.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said his thoughts were with Ogilvy but also hit out at the disorder in Belfast.
"Nothing, nothing can justify the violence that we saw on the streets of Northern Ireland last night, with masked thugs trying to burn and intimidate people out of their homes," he said.
Jon Boutcher, the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, described the violence as an "act of self-harm by the people involved" and urged locals to allow the criminal justice process to take shape.
"This has got to stop," he said of the disorder.
Translink, Northern Ireland's main public transport operator, announced bus and rail services would be suspended on Wednesday evening due to further expected protests.
For his part, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the knife attack as "sickening" but said it was "clear" that people had been targeted in the protests due to their background.
"I will not tolerate it. Those responsible will feel the full force of the law," he wrote on X.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney called the scenes on Tuesday night in Scotland "unacceptable," saying "racism, hatred and intimidation have no place" in the country.
"Scotland is a welcoming nation and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities," he added.