UK Warns Platforms After Belfast Riots

An attempted execution with a knife by a Sudanese on a Belfast street has triggered anti-immigrant violence, with masked men setting homes and vehicles on fire after footage of the incident spread online.

Police used water cannon and armored vehicles against protesters for a second night, though the unrest was less severe than on Tuesday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and politicians in Northern Ireland condemned the violence, which targeted ethnic minorities.

The 30-year-old Sudanese national, Hadi Alodid, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder and was remanded in custody. The victim of the attempted murder, Stephen Ogilvie, who lost an eye and suffered injuries to his face and back, remains in hospital. His family appealed for calm and said peaceful protest was the only way forward.

The government is responding by blaming online platforms where the protests have been organized over the past two days. UK communications regulator Ofcom warned online platforms that they could face legal consequences if they fail to act against content inciting violence or spreading hatred. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she had asked Ofcom to engage urgently with X and other platforms over compliance with the Online Safety Act.

(reuters, mja)