The 30-year-old Sudanese national accused of attempted murder in Belfast was remanded in custody for four weeks.
Hadi Alodid, who was granted refugee status in the UK in 2023, appeared in Belfast Magistrates' Court via video link.
The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, was left blinded in one eye after the stabbing attack, which sparked violent riots in the area.
Alodid, who claimed asylum in the UK in 2023, was granted leave to remain until 2028.
The UK government's 'leave to remain' constitutes a legal permission to stay in the country for a specified duration.
Police believe Alodid stayed close to the area where the attack took place and was not known to the Police Service of Northern Ireland before the incident.
There is no information to suggest the attack is terrorism-related.
