Man charged with murder bids after Edinburgh stabbings held in State Hospital

A man who was charged with two attempted murders following an incident involving a knife in Edinburgh is being held at a high-security psychiatric hospital.

Firearms officers locked down the Calders area of the city on March 2 after receiving reports of a man brandishing a “bladed weapon”.

Two people were injured – a man was stabbed and suffered “non-life-threatening injuries”, and a woman had a laceration to her head that is “not believed to be caused by a bladed weapon”.

They have since been discharged.

Emergency services were called to Calder Gardens at around 8.30am. Armed police sealed off the area, and local nurseries and schools were locked down.

Footage circulating on social media appeared to show a man walking in the area holding two large knives, as well as a shop which had been damaged.

A man of a similar description was later seen at the Cobbinshaw House tower block, looking out of a window.

Around seven hours later, armed officers entered the block of flats and later emerged with a man in custody.

Mustafa Kokoneh, whose address was given as Edinburgh, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The 23-year-old was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault to danger of life, breach of the peace, carrying a bladed weapon, possessing an offensive weapon and vandalism.

He did not face any terrorism charges or charges related to hostage taking.

On Tuesday, posts circulating on social media claimed that Kokoneh had been released on bail as he awaited trial.

However, STV News understands that the 23-year-old is being held on remand at Carstairs, the high-security psychiatric unit for patients from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A date for his trial has not been set.