He had something in his hand, it looked like a knife. I couldn't recognise it very well

Barzan Amini, alleged victim

On Friday, the first day of the trial, Mr Burrell lodged the special defence of incrimination in relation to the charge of murdering Mr Dag in which he blamed Martin Gould, of Gartferry Road, Balornock, Glasgow.

A second man, Graham Mills, of Petershill Court, Glasgow, has denied being involved in the attack on Mr Amini and has lodged a special defence of self-defence against the charge of racially aggravated assault.

Mr Burrell has also pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in connection with an alleged attack on a 36-year-old man, Stephan Herold, in Albion Street, Glasgow, on the same day that he is alleged to have killed Mr Dag.

Confronted by four men

He has further denied committing a breach of the peace on Strathclyde University campus on the same date.

The jury heard evidence on Friday from Mr Amini, who said he had been attacked outside the block of flats where he lives on 13 March.

He said he was coming home from visiting a friend when he was confronted by four men at the bottom of the stairway in Petershill Court.

Firsat Dag: Sighthill resident

Mr Amini, an Iranian Kurd, said he tried to run away but was caught by two of the men who punched and kicked him, knocked him to the ground and stabbed him twice in the back.

Speaking through an interpreter, he said: "Two of them came at me. One of them spoke a couple of words to me which I didn't understand.

"He had something in his hand, it looked like a knife. I couldn't recognise it very well."

He said he began studying English shortly after arriving in the Scottish city, but did not understand the language very well.

On the night of the alleged attacked, he had gone to visit his friend because he felt "tired and depressed" and wanted company.

Covered in blood

Asked if he could describe either of his attackers, he said he was unable to make out the face but believed the man who stabbed him was 28 to 31-years-old, of a heavier build than himself and wore a black hat.

Mr Amini was unable to recall anything about the second man involved in the attack other than that he was taller and appeared to be roughly the same age.

He told the court the emergency services were called after he went to the concierges in the tower block covered in blood.

Mr Amini said the man who stabbed him tried to hide under the stairs when he pointed him out to one of the concierges.

"When he realised I was talking about him he tried to hide under the stairs," said Mr Amini.

He added that no attempt was made to rob him or search his pockets during the five minutes that the attack lasted.

Silver object

Witness David Scott, 17, from Shettleston, Glasgow, told the court he saw the assault on Mr Amini.

Mr Scott was walking in the area of Petershill Court when he saw two men punching and kicking Mr Amini. He identified the men as Scott Burrell and Graham Mills.

He also told the court Mr Burrell had a "silver object" like a "knife or a screwdriver".

Donald Findlay QC, who represents Mr Burrell, asked Mr Scott why he had only picked Mr Mills out in the identity parade, but failed to identify Mr Burrell who was also in the line-up.

Mr Scott said: "I did not see him."

Mr Findlay later asked the teenager if he was lying in court, to which Mr Scott replied, "No".

Mr Findlay said: "Then why did you not pick him (Burrell) out at the parade."

Mr Scott looked at the floor and remained silent.

The case has been adjourned until Monday.