An elderly man was set on fire while returning from a mosque, and counterterrorism police are now looking into the incident.
Today it was revealed that one individual had been detained on suspicion of trying to kill someone.
At after 7 o’clock last night, the victim allegedly encountered another man after leaving the Birmingham place of worship on Dudley Road.
The two are believed to have had a few words on Brixham Road in the Edgbaston neighborhood before the victim was doused in an unknown liquid and his clothing caught fire.
He suffered burns to his face and was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but they are not believed to be life-threatening.
Footage has been circulating on social media, appearing to show a man in a backpack pointing at – and at one point pushing – another man before setting him alight.
Councillor Rizwan Jalil, who is also from West Midlands fire authority, told BirminghamLive: ‘I’m absolutely appalled by this vile attack on an elderly respected gentleman.
‘He is a pillar of this community who has lived here for well over 20 years.’
Chief Supt Richard North continued: ‘Our investigation continues with support from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU who have access to specialist capabilities to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
‘We have officers patrolling the local area to reassure people and we are visiting local faith establishments to keep them informed.’
Anyone who thinks they might have information on the crime has been asked to come forward.