Man Charged With Attempted Murder Linked to Terrorism in Scotland

Lewis Hawkes appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 22 June 2026 facing five counts of attempted murder. What sets this case apart is that prosecutors have linked the charges to terrorism, according to BBC News.

What "Terrorism-Linked" Means Here

When a crime gets labeled as terrorism-linked in Scottish or UK law, it changes the legal picture significantly. Prosecutors must show not only that someone tried to harm another person, but also that the act was meant to influence the government or frighten the public — or part of the public — for a political, religious, racial, or ideological reason. This legal test comes from the Terrorism Act 2000.

Think of it like this: attempted murder is serious. Terrorism-linked attempted murder carries a second layer of intent. That second layer carries much tougher sentences.

What Five Charges Tell Us

Five attempted murder counts suggest one incident or a closely connected series of events in which multiple people faced a real risk of death. It's the kind of charge pattern you'd see in a single coordinated act, not separate crimes spread over time.

The case started in Edinburgh Sheriff Court, but that's temporary. Given the terrorism element and the case's complexity, it will almost certainly move to the High Court of Justiciary — Scotland's highest criminal court — where serious cases like this are tried and sentenced.

What We Don't Know Yet

The identities of the alleged victims, what Hawkes is accused of doing, and any claimed motive have not been made public. At this stage, charges are what prosecutors say happened, not what a court has proven. Hawkes is presumed innocent unless a court rules otherwise.

Why Terrorism Cases Matter in Scotland

Terrorism prosecutions happen less often in Scotland than in England and Wales. When they do occur, they involve close coordination between Police Scotland, MI5, and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service — Scotland's prosecution authority.

This coordination changes how evidence is collected, how it's shared between sides, and how long the process takes. These cases typically move slower than standard serious crime cases because the security and legal stakes are higher.

The next steps to watch will be further court dates, details about what allegedly happened and where, and any decision about whether Hawkes can be released on bail before trial.