Men charged with hate offences following protest in Aberdeen

Two men have been charged under the Hate Crime Act following a demonstration in Aberdeen last week.

The pair aged 37 and 39 were arrested in connection with inciting racial hatred during the protest, which took place in Links Road on Saturday, 2 August.

In addition, the 37-year-old was also charged in connection with an assault.

Officers are pursuing positive lines of inquiry to identify other individuals involved in offences that took place during the event and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Chief Inspector Darren Bruce, Local Area Commander for Aberdeen City North, said: “Police Scotland supports everyone’s right to lawful protest, but when criminality occurs during these events, we will take appropriate action to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“There’s no place for hate crime in our society and our inquiries are continuing in relation to other reports of criminality that took place last Saturday.

“Anyone with information should contact us via 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”