Full Breakdown
Scottish First Minister Apologises to Dundee Girl Amid Controversy Over Police Misinformation and Conviction of Ilia Belov
6/20/2026, 7:22:56 AM
Dundee Weapon Incident and Conviction
In August 2022, a 12-year-old girl in Dundee brandished a knife and an axe during an encounter with 22-year-old Ilia Belov, a Bulgarian. Belov later grabbed and pushed the girl, made sexual remarks, and assaulted youths. At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith called the girl’s testimony “eloquent.” In May 2024 Belov was convicted of sexual harassment and assault; his sister, Nadjedzha Belova (20), was also convicted of assaulting a 13-year-old.
Context and Key Actors
Police Scotland said only the girl was arrested, later admitting the statement omitted Belov and his sister and that misinformation was spreading online. Elon Musk amplified the video on X. Key actors include First Minister John Swinney, Police Scotland, Elon Musk, Reform UK leader Malcolm Offord, and Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith.
Timeline of Key Developments
- Aug 2022 – Girl brandishes knife and axe; Belov records video.
- Sep 2022 – Video goes viral; Musk shares it.
- May 2024 – Dundee Sheriff Court convicts Belov and his sister.
- Jun 2024 – Police Scotland admits earlier statement was incomplete; Swinney apologises.
- 5 Aug 2024 – Sentencing.
Key Facts
Official Statements
John Swinney said he would “of course apologise” after reviewing Police Scotland’s information, noting his earlier comments relied on the data available. Police Scotland warned that “deliberate misinformation” was used to “stoke fear and alarm” in communities. Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith called the testimony “eloquent.”
Criticism & Opposition
Reform UK leader Malcolm Offord criticised, saying the girl’s mother “has demanded an apology … for her daughter being branded as a liar, right-wing and a racist.” He added the girl was “widely vilified for wielding an axe and a knife,” raising concerns about the narrative.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The mother of this child, quite rightly, has demanded an apology from the police and from the first minister for her daughter being branded as a liar, right-wing and a racist.” — Malcolm Offord, Reform UK leader
- “I of course apologise to the young woman and her family concerned.” — John Swinney, First Minister
- “undermine that sense of cohesion within our communities” — John Swinney, First Minister
- “It is totally and utterly unacceptable, and Police Scotland are absolutely right to call it out.” — John Swinney, First Minister
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police Scotland said only the girl was arrested, later admitting the statement omitted Belov and his sister. The reversal shows the difficulty of verifying facts when a video spreads online.
What’s Next
Belov and his sister will be sentenced on 5 August 2024. The case prompts calls for clearer police communication guidelines and social-media handling of incidents.