“He cuts off his head”, the shocking attack on the street in Belfast

Videos released on social media show the suspect standing over the bloodied victim while holding a knife and making movements that several witnesses interpreted as an attempt at decapitation. In the images, reports the Daily Mail, people can be heard screaming: “He’s trying to cut off his head.” The attack was interrupted by the intervention of some residents, one of whom hit the attacker with a hurling bat, stopping him until the police arrived.

Officers recovered a kitchen knife at the scene. The Northern Irish police (PSNI) have specified that they do not believe, at the current stage of the investigation, that this is an episode linked to terrorism, but have nevertheless classified the case as a “critical incident”, a procedure reserved for events of particular gravity and impact on public safety.

The head of the PSNI, Jon Boutcher, reported that the man arrived in Europe from Sudan via Paris and then Dublin, before reaching Belfast by bus in February 2023. Once he arrived in Northern Ireland he applied for asylum and, in September of the same year, would have obtained permission to remain in the United Kingdom.

The revelation immediately triggered political controversy. The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, called on the government to make public further details on the status of the arrested man, arguing that citizens “have the right to the truth”. Farage accused British authorities of granting residence permits too easily, saying leave to remain was handed out “like sweets”.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is along the same lines, asking for clarity on the identity of the attacker and the possible existence of flaws in the border control system. Billionaire Elon Musk also intervened in the debate through his social network X, commenting with a dry “enough” on some messages that linked the episode to British immigration policies.

The attack caused great alarm in Belfastwhere anti-immigration groups have issued calls for protests. Some messages spread online invited people to gather in the city by wearing dark clothes and preparing for possible clashes, a circumstance that pushed the authorities to increase security measures and strengthen the presence of the police.

Boutcher called on the public to remain calm and let the police conduct the investigation without interference. Downing Street also appealed for moderation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “chilling” and “abhorrent”. “My thoughts go first and foremost to the victim,” he declared, thanking the rescuers and citizens who intervened to stop the attacker.