Special to WorldTribune.com

UK counter-terrorism officials said the man who carried out a stabbing attack in a London underground train station had images of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) flag on his phone.

Muhaydin Mire, 29, of east London appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Dec. 7 and was charged with attempted murder.

A 56-year-old man suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries in the Dec. 5 attack at Leytonstone underground station. A second person suffered minor injuries.

“It was a violent, sustained and unprovoked attack during which the victim was punched, knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked on the ground,” Prosecutor David Cawthorne said.

Cawthorne said the victim suffered a 5-inch wound to his neck and was in surgery for five hours.

The current UK security alert is at a level of “severe,” the second-highest. The alert signifies that a militant attack is considered highly likely, though not imminent.

  Leytonstone underground station, London metro stabber had ISIL flag images on his phone, Muhaydin Mire, WorldTribune.com