Who is Hadi Alodid? Suspect in Belfast Knife Attack

3 days ago 17

The suspect in a knife attack that triggered anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland has been named for the first time after appearing in a Belfast court on Wednesday, on an attempted murder charge.

Hadi Alodid, 30, was remanded in custody for four weeks after making an appearing in Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning, the BBC reported. Alodi has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place and making threats to kill.

The court heard on Wednesday that the victim of Monday's attack lost his left eye in the attack. He was in a serious condition in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the attack, police said on Tuesday.

Graphic video of Monday night's attack in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast circulated widely online, and was seized on by anti-immigration activists.

Violence erupted in several parts of Northern Ireland on Tuesday night. Masked men set alight several homes, burned trash bins and a Belfast bus and pelted police with objects. Firefighters rescued several people from burning homes.

Who is Hadi Alodid?

The suspect is a Sudanese national who entered Northern Ireland in 2023, applied for asylum and was granted leave to remain until 2028, a Home Office spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek. “Leave to remain” is the legal permission granted by the U.K. government that allows a non-U.K. citizen to stay in the country for a specific period.

“He entered the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year. The individual claims to have entered the UK via the Common Travel Area,” the spokesperson said.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Ryan Henderson, assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said that police believe the suspect lived close to the area where the attack occurred. He said the suspect is believed to have entered Northern Ireland from the neighboring Republic of Ireland in 2023.

“My understanding is that the individual came into Northern Ireland from Dublin, moving up and then was granted leave to remain,” he said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said there is no information to suggest the attack is terrorism-related and they are not seeking other suspects.

Youths gather infront of a burning barricade on Duncairn Gardens on June 9, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Demonstrations have been called in reaction to what police described as a "brutal" knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night, which has left a male victim in his 40's with serious injuries.