A TEENAGER has been arrested and charged in connection with a “hate crime” which saw a Scottish mosque targeted.
The Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre (AMIC) Spital Mosque had a window smashed while worshippers were inside on Saturday evening, and the building was also vandalised with paint.
While local members of the community turned out to help with the cleanup, Aberdeen City councillor Nurul Hoque Ali warned that “Islamophobia is on the rise in our tolerant and peaceful [city]”.
After the incidents on Saturday evening, AMIC said: “The wilful and despicable criminal acts have been reported to the police and they are investigating the source of the attacks.”
It added: “Meanwhile the mosques in Aberdeen would like to assure all members of the community that in light of these incidents, all the mosques are taking additional security measures as well as being assured of support from the police.
“The police will be performing additional patrols around the mosques during prayer and other busy times.”
In their statement on the incident, police said that a 17-year-old boy had been arrested and charged.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Following an investigation into reports of vandalism at a Mosque in Spittal, Aberdeen, officers have arrested and charged a 17-year-old male.
"The incident occurred on Saturday, 15 March, 2025. Police are treating the incident as a hate crime.
"The male has been released on an undertaking and will appear at court at a later date."
