The victim in Monday night’s knife attack in Belfast has been named locally as Stephen Ogilvie.
Ogilvie, who is believed to have been aged 44, suffered extensive injuries in the incident, which occurred in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday night. An extremely graphic video of the attack subsequently circulated on social media, prompting police to urge members of the public not to share the footage.
It is understood that Ogilvie was originally from Scotland and had been living in the same block of flats as the man accused of carrying out the attack.
The incident attracted widespread attention online after footage appeared to show the victim sustaining severe injuries to his face, eyes, neck and back. Some witnesses described the assault as an apparent attempted beheading.
A 30-year-old man has since been charged in connection with the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the accused faces multiple charges.
“Detectives investigating a knife attack in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday June 8th have charged a 30-year-old man with attempted murder, possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and threats to kill,” the PSNI said.
The force confirmed that the accused is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court later today.
Additional details about the suspect’s background were provided by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.
According to Boutcher, the accused is believed to have travelled from Sudan to Paris before arriving in Dublin and then travelling onwards to Belfast by bus in February 2023.
He is understood to have subsequently claimed asylum and was granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom in September 2023.
The attack has also been linked to unrest in Belfast in the days that followed.
Rioting broke out across parts of the city on Tuesday night, with reports of homes, vehicles and a police car being set alight. A Middle Eastern-owned shop was also damaged during the disorder.
Police have appealed for calm and have continued their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Monday night’s attack.
