Menu
02/06/2014
Woman Charged Over Racist Attack
A woman has been charged by detectives investigating a racist attack on two Pakistani men in north Belfast at the weekend.
The 18-year-old has been charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on 27 June.
The charges relate to an attack on Muhammad Asif Khattak, who lives at Parkmount Street in the city. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Mr Khattak noticed damage to a window in his living room when he got up to get a drink of water. A glass bottle had been thrown through the living room window.
Then, later the same day, Mr Khattak received racist abuse at the hands of a group of people outside his property. Two men forced their way into his home and attacked him a second time, as well as his housemate.
Mr Khattak and his housemate were taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries.
A 57-year-old man was also arrested over the hate crime, but was later released on bail.
The attack follows a public message of support by First Minister Peter Robinson for Pastor James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, who described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic" and said he did not trust Muslims. Mr Robinson responded by defending Pastor McConnell's right to free speech, indicating that he would trust Muslims to "go down the shops for him", but would not trust those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law".
Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said: "The PSNI is treating last night’s cowardly attack on the men’s home in Parkmount Street as a hate crime. It’s vital that political leaders right across the community stand up against those involved in hate crime whether those crimes are sectarian or racist in character.
"People should be able to get on with their lives free from fear and intimidation. This incident is the latest in a spate of racist attacks in the city.
It also comes in the wake of offensive comments made against the Muslim community. It’s imperative the First Minister stands shoulder to shoulder with him in sending out the clearest signal yet that there is no place for racial intolerance in this society."
(IT)
The 18-year-old has been charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on 27 June.
The charges relate to an attack on Muhammad Asif Khattak, who lives at Parkmount Street in the city. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Mr Khattak noticed damage to a window in his living room when he got up to get a drink of water. A glass bottle had been thrown through the living room window.
Then, later the same day, Mr Khattak received racist abuse at the hands of a group of people outside his property. Two men forced their way into his home and attacked him a second time, as well as his housemate.
Mr Khattak and his housemate were taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries.
A 57-year-old man was also arrested over the hate crime, but was later released on bail.
The attack follows a public message of support by First Minister Peter Robinson for Pastor James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, who described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic" and said he did not trust Muslims. Mr Robinson responded by defending Pastor McConnell's right to free speech, indicating that he would trust Muslims to "go down the shops for him", but would not trust those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law".
Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said: "The PSNI is treating last night’s cowardly attack on the men’s home in Parkmount Street as a hate crime. It’s vital that political leaders right across the community stand up against those involved in hate crime whether those crimes are sectarian or racist in character.
"People should be able to get on with their lives free from fear and intimidation. This incident is the latest in a spate of racist attacks in the city.
It also comes in the wake of offensive comments made against the Muslim community. It’s imperative the First Minister stands shoulder to shoulder with him in sending out the clearest signal yet that there is no place for racial intolerance in this society."
(IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 August 2006
Two arrested over "suspected racist attack"
Police in County Down have appealed for information following a suspected racist attack on a house in the early hours of this morning. At around 4.45am, paint was thrown and windows were broken at the house in the Copelands Park area of Bangor, which is understood to have been occupied by three Lithuanian nationals at the time.
Two arrested over "suspected racist attack"
Police in County Down have appealed for information following a suspected racist attack on a house in the early hours of this morning. At around 4.45am, paint was thrown and windows were broken at the house in the Copelands Park area of Bangor, which is understood to have been occupied by three Lithuanian nationals at the time.
17 February 2020
Youths Attack Man In Racist Hate Crime
A man has been left injured after he was set upon by a group of youths in a "nasty" hate crime. Police are appealing for witnesses following the serious assault in the Dunvale area of Ballymena on Saturday night, 15 February. The victim, aged in his thirties, was leaving an address in the area with another male at around 11.
Youths Attack Man In Racist Hate Crime
A man has been left injured after he was set upon by a group of youths in a "nasty" hate crime. Police are appealing for witnesses following the serious assault in the Dunvale area of Ballymena on Saturday night, 15 February. The victim, aged in his thirties, was leaving an address in the area with another male at around 11.
29 January 2014
PSNI Appeal For Information After Cars Set Alight In North Belfast
The PSNI have appealed for information after four cars were set alight in north Belfast. Police say the suspected arson attack happened at around 22:30 on Tuesday night on the Whitewell Road. It is understood no one was injured in the incidents.
PSNI Appeal For Information After Cars Set Alight In North Belfast
The PSNI have appealed for information after four cars were set alight in north Belfast. Police say the suspected arson attack happened at around 22:30 on Tuesday night on the Whitewell Road. It is understood no one was injured in the incidents.
04 January 2017
Investigation Launched Following Racist Attack In Belfast
Police have launched an investigation after a man was assaulted in Belfast city centre which the PSNI are treating as a racially motivated hate crime. The attack, on a foreign national, occurred in the Bedford Street area between 3.40am and 4am on Sunday, 01 January.
Investigation Launched Following Racist Attack In Belfast
Police have launched an investigation after a man was assaulted in Belfast city centre which the PSNI are treating as a racially motivated hate crime. The attack, on a foreign national, occurred in the Bedford Street area between 3.40am and 4am on Sunday, 01 January.
22 August 2013
East Belfast Group Condemns Racist Attack
An east Belfast community project that represents ethnic minorities in the area has condemned a recent racist attack on a Nigerian man's house near the Castlereagh Road.
East Belfast Group Condemns Racist Attack
An east Belfast community project that represents ethnic minorities in the area has condemned a recent racist attack on a Nigerian man's house near the Castlereagh Road.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
