Suspect held on suspicion of attempted murder after pensioner, 70, was set on fire as he left Birmingham mosque is arrested over similar attack in west London three weeks ago
- Mohammed Rayaz was sprayed with an unknown substance and set alight
- Came three weeks after 82-year-old worshipper set ablaze in west London
A suspect who was held on suspicion of attempted murder after a pensioner was set on fire as he left a Birmingham mosque has been arrested over a similar attack in west London three weeks ago.
Mohammed Rayaz, 70, was sprayed with an unknown substance and set alight moments after he left the place of worship in Birmingham, which he regularly goes to, on Monday.
The attack on Mr Rayaz – who is in a serious but stable condition following a skin graft operation – was graphically caught on CCTV camera and has caused panic in the area with officers stepping up patrols.
But Monday’s attack near Dudley Road Mosque came exactly three weeks after a similar incident 120 miles away in Ealing, when another worshipper, 82, was set ablaze after being followed out of the West London Islamic Centre. He was taken to hospital for treatment for severe burns to his face and arms.
Police were probing whether the two incidents were linked – and today they confirmed that they are.
Mohammed Rayaz (pictured), 70, was sprayed with an unknown substance and set alight in the attack
Video shared on social media appears to show a man being set alight by another person in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Monday
Police arrested a man (pictured) on suspicion of attempted murder after an elderly worshipper was set on fire while walking home from a mosque on Monday
Detectives and counter-terror police, are questioning the suspect on two counts of attempted murder. Officers say they are unsure about the motive for the attacks.
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, of the Met’s West Area Command, said: ‘We completely understand the shock that resonated throughout the community following this incident.
‘Despite a man having been arrested, we continue to be vigilant and urge local people to do the same.
‘Highly visible patrols around Singapore Road will continue in the coming days to provide reassurance to local people and I urge anyone who is concerned to approach officers.’
The incident in Ealing took place at around 8pm on Monday, February 27. Officers describing the attack said: ‘The suspect engaged the victim in conversation as they both left the West London Islamic Centre.
‘They had been speaking for around five minutes when the suspect doused the victim in a liquid, believed to be petrol, before setting him alight using a lighter. The suspect then walked away.
‘The victim was taken to hospital where he received treatment for severe burns to his face and arms.’
Rayaz, 70, was sprayed with an unknown substance and set alight moments after he left the Dudley Road mosque (pictured) in Edgbaston, Birmingham
