HE WAS dubbed “Scotland’s baby” after being flown from Pakistan for life-saving surgery when he was just four months old.
But police were yesterday investigating claims threats were made against the life of two-year-old gas blast victim Mohammad Sudais after a man was accused of threatening to kill him and bomb his home.
Sudais was playing in the garden of the Glasgow home he shares with uncle Mohammad Asif and aunt Naseema when a stranger approached the premises.
Asif was mowing the grass at the time and initially could not hear what the man was saying.
However, the man allegedly told Asif, an Afghan refugee, to “go back where you came from” before pointing to Sudais and threatening: “I am going to bomb you and your house. I am going to kill this child because you are a Mohammadan.”
Police Scotland is investigating the allegation and, if it is proven, the incident could be prosecuted as a hate crime. The incident happened on Friday and the family, which includes four adult children, are no longer letting Sudais play in the garden for fear that the man returns. Asif told The National: “He started shouting he was going to bomb my house and kill my family. He was pointing at the baby.
“If he is going to target the baby, I want to take it very seriously.
“At the moment, we won’t let him out. We don’t want to take any chances.”
Sudais, who lost his father, mother and older brother in a gas explosion at their home in Pakistan, was brought to Scotland in 2014 following a public campaign and is still receiving NHS treatment for his injuries. He continues to suffer nightmares thought to be connected to the incident but doctors say his physical health continues to improve.
The young Mickey Mouse fan travelled to Holyrood in March to meet Nicola Sturgeon as his family thanked Scotland for all the support they have received.
Asif says the family get on well with neighbours and the incident was witnessed by two women.
Police have not issued a description of the man, but Asif said he was “smartly dressed” and may not come from the local area.
He said: “My neighbours told me no-one knows this man, people from the area told me he is not from here.
“There were two ladies walking behind him who came back in the evening and said they wanted to interfere but they did not in case he harmed them.
“I hope the police can find him. This man must repent and feel ashamed to see the support of our Scottish friends.”
It is understood that the incident was recorded on CCTV and yesterday Police Scotland said a complaint has been received.
Acts motivated by religious or racial prejudice are covered by anti-hate crime legislation and Scottish authorities have repeatedly stated their intention to combat such offences.
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