A man accused of a pipe bomb attack on Belfast Islamic Centre appeared in court this week.
34-year-old Jonathan Robert Bell, from the Chester Manor area of Belfast, was arrested by counter-terrorism police on Friday evening (June 20).
A viable explosive device, identified as a pipe bomb, was thrown through a window during evening prayers as up to thirty worshippers prayed inside.
Bell is accused of attempting to cause an explosion and attempted arson, which could endanger life, and charges related to the building of a pipe bomb (between January and June 2025), and of criminal damage to a window at the Islamic centre.
He was remanded into custody and will appear again in court on 8 July, as the judge called an application for a psychiatric assessment “premature”.
Police in Northern Ireland also hope to trace the upstander who bravely intervened in helping to apprehend the suspect, with a press release identifying him as a young man possibly in his twenties.
Tell MAMA urges staff and worshippers at mosques and Islamic centres to re-familiarise themselves with our safety and security advice.
We continue to liaise with police in Northern Ireland to provide additional support.
In a statement, Detective Chief Inspector McCallum said: “Detectives from the Serious Crime Branch continue to work to establish a motive for this attack and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime.
“At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection.”
Any witnesses (including those with any possible CCTV) can call 101, quoting reference number 1808 20/06/25. Tell MAMA can pass any information forward on your behalf or anonymously.