Spain’s right-wing party Vox has seized on the horrific Belfast stabbing that left a man fighting for his life, calling for ‘total intolerance’ towards violent offenders and ‘immediate deportations’.
The comments came after a Sudanese man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a brutal knife attack in the northern Irish capital on Monday night.
The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered serious injuries to his face, eyes and back and remains in hospital.
Police recovered what they believe to be a kitchen knife at the scene.
In a post shared on social media, Vox leader Santiago Abascal wrote: ‘Europe is not condemned to passively coexist with those who stab, slit throats and rape in broad daylight every day.
‘There is another path. There is another future. Total intolerance towards this barbarity, and immediate deportations.’
He added: ‘That path will not be taken by the same leaders who have encouraged this invasion and who are more concerned with managing the public image of the executioners than protecting the security of their own citizens.’
The post was accompanied by a graphic image referencing the Belfast attack and describing the suspect as a migrant.
The incident has sparked fierce political debate across the UK after authorities confirmed the suspect is a Sudanese national who arrived in Belfast in February 2023 after travelling via Paris and Dublin.
He was granted refugee status and leave to remain in the UK until 2028. Police said he was not known to security services and had no record on national security databases.
The attack was partially captured on video, with footage appearing to show members of the public intervening to stop the assault before police arrived.
Senior officers later praised bystanders, saying their actions likely saved the victim’s life.
While politicians from across Northern Ireland condemned the attack, they also urged the public not to inflame tensions or spread misinformation online.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the assault as ‘sickening’, while Northern Ireland’s five main political parties issued a joint statement condemning the violence and calling for calm.
Police have stressed that, at this stage, there is no evidence to suggest the attack was terrorism-related and say the investigation remains ongoing.
The case has quickly become a flashpoint in the wider European debate over immigration and asylum policy, with parties including Vox pointing to the Belfast attack as evidence that tougher border controls and deportation powers are needed.
Meanwhile, police and community leaders have warned against allowing the actions of one individual to fuel wider tensions or hostility towards migrant communities.
