Man Charged in North Belfast Knife Attack Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Murder

According to BBC UK, Hadi Alodid, a 31-year-old resident of Duncairn Avenue in Belfast, has entered a plea of not guilty to attempted murder in connection with a knife attack in north Belfast that led to significant disorder in the city. Alodid has also denied charges of possessing a bladed weapon and threatening or abusive behavior, according to the report.

Alodid is accused of carrying out the attack on Stephen Ogilvie, who is in his 40s, in June. The incident, which the court heard occurred near Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast on June 8, resulted in Stephen Ogilvie losing his left eye and sustaining damage to his right eye.

Alodid, who has been detained since the attack, was brought into the dock at Belfast Crown Court in handcuffs, where three charges were presented to him. Dressed in a grey prison tracksuit, Alodid stood with his arms crossed while an Arabic interpreter translated the proceedings for him. He responded to all three charges in English by stating 'not guilty'.

A date for his trial has been scheduled for early February, with several review hearings planned before that time. Alodid was apprehended at the scene and subsequently remanded into custody.

BBC UK noted that videos shared online at the time depicted several individuals, one of whom was seen holding a hurling stick, confronting the individual believed to be the attacker until the arrival of the police. The attack on June 8 prompted widespread violence across Belfast, during which homes and vehicles were set ablaze.