Crime & Law

Belfast stabbing: victim named as murder inquiry continues

Police say they are not treating attack as hate crime as appeal for witnesses issued

Police believe the man was stabbed in the Downshire Place area of the city on Sunday night.

Mon Jun 5 2017 - 20:42

The man stabbed to death in Belfast on Sunday has been named by police as

Hazem Ahmed Ghreir.

A murder inquiry began after Mr Ghreir, who was in his 30s, was found dead in the Downshire Place area, close to the city centre.

Police said they are not treating the attack as a hate crime.

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An 18-year-old man who was arrested for questioning on Sunday remained in police custody on Monday night.

Detective Inspector Darren McCartney has asked for anyone who may have footage captured from the incident to contact police.

‘Not a hate crime’

“We are continuing to investigate the murder of Hazem, who was in his 30s, and we would appeal to anyone who was in the Downshire Place vicinity of Great Victoria Street last night at around 10.45pm to contact police.

“At this stage of the investigation we do not believe race was an issue and we are not treating this matter as a hate crime.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at the incident room at Musgrave Street on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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