How an imam stopped furious locals from attacking suspected terrorist

An imam prevented a mob attack on the suspected terrorist van driver who just minutes earlier had mowed down Muslim worshippers at a mosque.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jun 2017, 16:58 BST
Updated 20th Jun 2017, 15:51 BST
Police officers man a cordon in Finsbury Park, north London, where one man has died, eight people taken to hospital and a person arrested after a van struck pedestrians. PAPolice officers man a cordon in Finsbury Park, north London, where one man has died, eight people taken to hospital and a person arrested after a van struck pedestrians. PA
Police officers man a cordon in Finsbury Park, north London, where one man has died, eight people taken to hospital and a person arrested after a van struck pedestrians. PA

He said, as some locals treated the injured, others tried to punch and kick the attacker.

Mohammed Mahmoud said: "We arrived at the incident within minutes. We found the assailant on the floor.

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"He had been restrained by about three people. The injured and the deceased's brother were being tended to.

"We found a group of people quickly started to collect around the assailant.

"Some tried to hit and punch and kick him.

"By God's grace we managed to surround him and protect him from any harm."

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He said a passing police van was the first on the scene.

Mr Mahmoud said: "There was a mob attempt to hurt him, so we pushed people away from him until he was safely taken by police."

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Witness Hussain Ali added the suspect was smiling and waving as he brought carnage to Seven Sisters Road in Finsbury Park, north London.

The imam was hailed as the "hero of the day" by Toufik Kacimi, chief executive of the Muslim Welfare House, outside which the attack took place.