Stabbing suspect appears in court in Northern Ireland, detective says Alodid blinded victim

A 30-year-old Sudanese man appeared in court in Northern Ireland today, charged with attempted murder - by stabbing - which left one man seriously injured and sparked anti-immigrant riots in several areas of Northern Ireland, which is part of Great Britain.

Hadi Alodid was remanded in custody after appearing in court via video link, where a detective said the suspect blinded the victim, Stephen Ogilvie, by stabbing him in the left eye.

Alodid is also charged with possession of a knife and for threatening a radiographer who was treating his injured hand after the attack.

When police arrived at the crime scene, they found Alodid sitting on Ogilvie holding a kitchen knife, the detective said.

Later, Alodid allegedly told hospital staff: "I killed someone, I don't know if they're dead... I'm going to kill you."

Using an Arabic translator, Alodid refused to be represented by anyone in court and pleaded not guilty.

Northern Ireland police are bracing for new violent protests after masked men set fire to several houses believed to be inhabited by immigrants.

They set fire to garbage cans, burned a bus in Belfast and threw hard objects at the police.

Firefighters rescued several people from burning houses.

Police say there will be 200 extra officers on the streets tonight. Truck and rail operators have said they will suspend services early due to expected protests.

The family of the seriously wounded Ogilvie is calling for an end to the violence and says that migrants make "an extremely valuable contribution to our country."

"We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to sow division among people, or incite hostility," the family said.

Politicians from both parties that govern Northern Ireland condemned the violence.

The attack was filmed and spread on social media, which was exploited by anti-immigrant activists.

Ogilvy has deep wounds on his head, face and back.

Police say Alodid entered Northern Ireland from the neighboring Republic of Ireland four years ago. He claimed asylum and was granted the right to stay for five years. They say there is no information to suggest this was an act of terrorism.

The demonstrations are being fueled by far-right activists.