PHOTOS OF A heavily wounded man shared on social media this week do not show the victim of a knife attack in Belfast on Monday, despite claims online.

Two photos have been shared widely online, including by far-right influencers, claiming to show Stephen Ogilvie, the victim of a knife attack on Monday night.

Authorities have said that he has lost an eye from his injuries, and the other eye was badly wounded.

A video spread quickly online appearing to show a man straddling the victim while shouting and holding a knife, at one stage against the man’s head.

A suspect was apprehended shortly after the attack and remains in custody charged with attempted murder.

This video, as well as both real news and misinformation about the attack, prompted protests which would turn into two nights of rioting in Northern Ireland, during which homes were raided and burnt out as mobs targeted ethnic minorities.

Amid this tension, two photos appeared which showed a man badly slashed in the face. The photos spread widely on social media along with claims that it shows the victim.

There are multiple clues in the images which suggest that they were taken in Northern Ireland, including a Northern Ireland juice brand seen in the background of one of the photos.

The photos are not of the Belfast knife attack victim, and the man in them does not look particularly like Stephen Ogilvie.

The man in the photo has slash wounds across his face. But unlike the victim of Monday night’s attack, he has no wounds near or on his eyes.

Police reported that Ogilvie had serious injuries to both eyes. 

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have also warned about the “inaccurate images circulating claiming to be the victim after the attack,” saying “they are not related to anyone involved in the attempted murder”.

“We believe these images are being used to arouse fear and hatred,” the PSNI said in a statement sent to The Journal.

Stephen Ogilvie’s family have asked for privacy, saying that they needed time “without cameras or people speculating about what happened via social media”.

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