Police Scotland has charged a 29-year-old man with racially-aggravated assault following an attack on delivery driver Muhammad Jawad Yaqoob, 31, during disorder in Glasgow city centre on 25 July. The incident, in which a traffic cone was reportedly thrown at Yaqoob, was filmed and shared on social media. The man was arrested in the Govan area of Glasgow.
Man charged with racially-aggravated assault over attack on Glasgow delivery driver
Police Scotland has charged a 29-year-old man with racially-aggravated assault following an attack on delivery driver Muhammad Jawad Yaqoob, 31, during disorder in Glasgow city centre on 25 July. The incident, in which a traffic cone was reportedly thrown at Yaqoob, was filmed and shared on social media. The man was arrested in the Govan area of Glasgow.
The disorder occurred on the same day as an anti-immigration protest at Glasgow Green, according to police. An anti-racism protest had also taken place at the location before counter-protesters arrived. Police said disparate groups engaged in acts of violence, disorder, intimidation and hate-motivated offences at various locations, coinciding with the opening weekend of the Commonwealth Games.
Police Scotland said approximately 1,700 people were in attendance and an operation was put in place to support public safety and minimise disruption. Fifteen people were arrested on the day of the protests.
Police Scotland said a major investigation team is working to identify further suspects and that additional arrests are planned.
Yaqoob, who moved to Glasgow from Pakistan, had reportedly just collected a delivery order from the Palm Tree Kitchen on Bridge Street when he encountered a group of protesters. He previously told BBC Scotland News that he felt too afraid to leave his home or return to work following the incident.
According to Yaqoob's account to the BBC, a man directed racial abuse at him before another person threw a traffic cone at him. He said he ran into a nearby restaurant and later completed his delivery before reporting the matter to police. He said the restaurant did not have CCTV footage. He subsequently discovered the video had spread on social media, including to his home country.
- The identity of the arrested man is not established by the source
- Whether the 29-year-old has entered a plea or appeared in court is not stated
- The precise location within Glasgow city centre where the attack on Yaqoob occurred is not fully specified beyond Bridge Street
- The relationship, if any, between the arrested man and the 15 people arrested on the day is not established
- The current operational status of the major investigation team or its size is not detailed
- Whether Uber was contacted for comment or has responded to the incident is not addressed
- The date of the arrest is not specified