EDINBURGH — Police Scotland arrested a 36-year-old white Scottish man late Friday following counter-terrorism investigations into attacks in Edinburgh that injured five men. Counter-terrorism detectives are investigating the incidents.

Five men sustained injuries in the attacks, and three of them required hospital treatment. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. The injured men included two aged 22, and one each aged 24, 27, and 39. Police received a report of an incident in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Friday, where two men were injured. Police also received reports about incidents around retailers across the west and north of Edinburgh, with three other men allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk areas. Police closed off Leith Walk as the incidents unfolded.

The charity Muslim Engagement and Development stated that several of those injured are Muslim. The Scottish Association of Mosques reported that two of the injured men were attacked after attending prayers at their local mosque. These two worshippers were attacked in a park after leaving Broomhouse mosque.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton stated that officers are being supported by Counter Terrorism Policing. Paton also said there is no further threat to the public. She added that she wanted "to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland, which is at its best when we stand together."

Omar Afzal, director of public affairs for the Scottish Association of Mosques, said, "There is a profound sense of shock, alarm and anger within Muslim communities across Scotland today." He characterized these latest attacks as "deeply disturbing." Afzal said that Muslim communities have warned for years "about the consequences of anti-Muslim hatred becoming normalised in public discourse," and that "when prejudice is left unchallenged, it creates an environment in which some individuals feel emboldened to act on that hatred." The Muslim Council of Britain stated the violence was "a direct consequence of political rhetoric that demonizes entire communities." A major incident public portal has been established to allow the public to submit information to officers.