Five injured in axe attack near Edinburgh mosque

On June 21, 2026, an axe attack occurred near a mosque in Edinburgh, Scotland, resulting in injuries to five people. All five victims are of Muslim faith, leading the Scottish counter-terrorism unit to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime. A 36-year-old Scottish man was arrested shortly before midnight in connection with the attack. Authorities report the suspect was found in possession of both a knife and an axe. Beyond the assault, the suspect is also facing charges related to robbery, vandalism, and making threats. Scottish First Minister John Swinney issued a statement expressing deep concern and condemning the act as contrary to the country's values regarding racism and intolerance. Police and counter-terrorism officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence.