Abdullah, a security guard, says people impersonated him on social media after the stabbing in Leicester Square. PA
Abdullah, a security guard, says people impersonated him on social media after the stabbing in Leicester Square. PA
Abdullah, a security guard, says people impersonated him on social media after the stabbing in Leicester Square. PA
Abdullah, a security guard, says people impersonated him on social media after the stabbing in Leicester Square. PA

Leicester Square stabbing 'hero' Abdullah condemns social media fakes


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

A security guard hailed as a hero for disarming a knifeman in central London has hit out at social media impersonators after falsehoods spread about him online.

The man, named Abdullah, surfaced on social media hours after the Leicester Square stabbing in which an 11-year-old girl was injured.

"I would like to inform you that there are many fake accounts circulating on social media under my name," he said.

Far-right agitator Tommy Robinson had seized on one of the fake accounts to make an unfounded claim that Abdullah supported Hamas.

Mr Robinson, who was widely accused of helping to stir up last week's racist violence in England, later retracted his post.

Social media disinformation was also blamed for the unrest, with several people arrested over online posts.

The Leicester Square stabbing came two weeks after the knife attack near Liverpool that sparked the rioting.

Ioan Pintaru, 32, appeared in court on Tuesday accused of attempting to murder the 11-year-old girl.

Ioan Pintaru, 32, appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with the attempted murder of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square. PA
Ioan Pintaru, 32, appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with the attempted murder of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square. PA

Police arrived to find a man being held on the ground after members of the public intervened, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

Met Police detective chief superintendent Christina Jessah paid tribute to those who "bravely intervened".

"They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so," she said.

Abdullah, a security guard at TWG Tea shop, said he intervened after he "heard a scream" and saw a child being attacked by a knifeman.

"I jumped on him, held the hand in which he was [carrying] a knife, and just put him down on the floor and just held him and took the knife away from him," he said.

"Then a couple of more people joined as well, and we just held him until the police came, it took maybe three to four minutes for the police to arrive and then they just took him into custody.”

The scene of the Leicester Square attack was cordoned off after a man was arrested. AP
The scene of the Leicester Square attack was cordoned off after a man was arrested. AP

He later shared links to what he called his official X, Instagram and TikTok accounts, which appeared to give his name as Abdullah Tanoli.

"I would like to thank each and every one of you for the love and support you have shown today," he said.

The girl was taken to hospital with serious stab wounds but her condition is not life-threatening, police said.

They said her mother, 34, was initially thought to have been injured, but was covered in blood from her daughter's wounds.

Police do not believe the suspect and the victims were known to each other.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

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Updated: August 13, 2024, 3:46 PM`