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Man charged after Islamic Centre attack

BBC A three-storey building. There are cars parked to the left of the building. BBC
The incident took place at the Islamic Centre on University Road on Friday night

A man has been charged after a viable explosive device was thrown through the window of the Belfast Islamic Centre during an attack on Friday night.

People from the centre were praying inside the building on University Road when the attack was reported at about 22:10 BST.

The incident sparked a security alert and the building was evacuated.

A 34-year-old man has now been charged with a number of offences including attempted arson with intent to endanger life, attempt to cause an explosion, making explosives with intent to endanger life and criminal damage.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has CCTV or other footage to contact them.

"I am also keen to speak to a passer-by, believed to be a young man, possibly in his 20s, who bravely intervened on the night and assisted in apprehending the suspect until police arrived," Det Ch Insp McCallum said.