UPDATE: Man arrested after 70-year-old set on fire in Birmingham suspected of another attack in London  

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UPDATE March 22 (9.28 pm) – Police in the UK arrested a man on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder after a pensioner was set on fire in Birmingham  

A man has been arrested in the UK after Mohammad Rayaz, who is a retired factory worker had been attacked and set on fire in Birmingham.  

According to the Metropolitan police cited by the Independent, the “incident in Edgbaston, Birmingham, in which a man was set alight on his way home from a mosque on Monday has been linked to a similar incident in Ealing, west London, where another man was set on fire in February”.  

Officials said that the man has now been arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder, following the incidents.  

Meanwhile, the investigations into the incident are being led by the West Midlands force along with detectives from the Met’s West Area Command, who are attempting to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.  

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UPDATE March 22 (5.52 pm) – A 70-year-old pensioner named Mohammed Rayaz has been identified as the man who was attacked after leaving the mosque in Birmingham

The man who was attacked in Birmingham during a horrific incident when he was set on fire on Monday, March 20, has been identified as Mohammad Rayaz.  

Rayaz who is a retired factory worker had been attacked on Shenstone Road shortly after he left the Dudley Road Mosque, where he used to pray frequently.  

After the incident, he is now being treated in the hospital for serious burns, he has suffered on his chest, face, and arms.  

According to his nephew, Hamza Rayaz, cited by Mail Online, he is in “extreme pain and “unable to open his eyes”.  

The 27-year-old said, “I’ve been to visit him and he looks in a very bad way. He’s not able to speak much and can’t see anything at all. He’s wrapped up in a lot of bandages and we are just praying that he recovers and that there is no long lasting effects from this horrible attack”. 

“We don’t want to reveal the name of the hospital where he’s being treated but my uncle is in the intensive care unit and is being well looked after. We’re all praying for him.” 

The recent incident took place just three weeks after another similar attack happened in Ealing, about 120 miles away.  

Another man who is reportedly 82 years old was set on fire after being followed out of the West London Islamic Centre.   

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ORIGINAL March 21 (1.06 pm) – Police in the UK have launched an investigation after a man was set on fire by an arsonist who sprayed him with liquid before setting him on fire 

A man in the UK was set on fire after he was attacked on the street while walking back home.  

According to the West Midlands Police, the incident happened in Birmingham, as the man was walking from a mosque in the Edgbaston area on the night of Monday, March 20.  

Officials cited by the Mirror said, “The victim had been walking along a road when he was approached by a man who he chatted with briefly, before being sprayed with an unknown substance and his jacket set alight”.  

He was then rushed to the hospital after emergency services arrived on the scene of the incident and suffered burns to his face.  

Shortly after the incident a video of the attack started circulating on social media, which the police is using for the investigation.  

“Our officers have been working through the night to establish what happened and who is responsible”, said Supt James Spencer, from Birmingham Police.   

“We’re examining CCTV and speaking to witnesses and are determined to find out who is responsible. 

“I’ve been speaking to people in this morning, and so I know just how concerned they are and that people are after answers. 

“We are determined to find the person responsible and get those answers as soon as possible, and I’d urge the community to work with us and to avoid any speculation at this stage.” 

The police also stated that patrols have been increased in the area following fears from residents.  

Anyone with information regarding the attack is being urged to get in touch with the police.

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Written by

Imran Khan

A journalist, content professional, and former TEDx Speaker based in Tarragona (Spain), with a Master's in International Journalism (Cardiff, UK). Imran is an online reporter for The Euro Weekly News and covers international as well as Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com

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