A British-Iranian man intervened during a stabbing attack in north London on Wednesday morning, helping to save the life of a 76-year-old Jewish man. The incident occurred at a bus stop in Golders Green, where the assailant, Essa Suleiman, 45, allegedly stabbed Moshe Shine in the neck.

Ashkan Asadian, a local resident and father of two, said he attempted to disarm the attacker despite the personal risk. "Religion doesn’t matter," Asadian told the BBC. "Jewish or non-Jewish, just [they are] human." Witnesses reported that Asadian saw the knifeman attacking Mr. Shine and feared the victim would be killed if the assailant’s assault continued.

In an effort to stop further harm, Asadian intervened physically, managing to distract Suleiman and trying to wrestle the knife away. Both men fell onto the road during the struggle, with the weapon still in the attacker’s possession. Asadian said he attempted to kick the attacker’s arm to make him drop the knife but quickly realized how dangerous the situation was.

After this initial confrontation, the perpetrator entered a nearby greengrocer’s shop. Asadian acted swiftly to warn store staff and used a shopping trolley to block the attacker’s exit, preventing more immediate violence. A bystander contacted the police. However, fearing the attacker might harm shop employees, Asadian eventually stepped aside.

Suleiman left the shop and proceeded down the street before police arrived. Asadian directed officers to the suspect and stayed with another bystander to assist in managing Mr. Shine’s bleeding until emergency medical services reached the scene.

Mr. Shine sustained serious injuries but has since been discharged from the hospital. Suleiman appeared in Westminster magistrates’ court two days after the attack and faces two counts of attempted murder along with one count for possessing a bladed article in public. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on May 15. Authorities continue to investigate the motivations behind the attack.