Brother of Manchester Arena bomber appears in UK court

Hashem Abedi is alleged to have helped his brother plan the suicide attack which killed 22 people in 2017.

Old Bailey - London - Reuters
A statue of Lady Justice stands atop the Old Bailey central criminal court in London [Hannah McKay/Reuters]

The younger brother of the Manchester Arena bomber has appeared in a court in the United Kingdom ahead of his trial for mass murder.

Hashem Abedi was allegedly involved in planning the suicide attack on May 22, 2017.

His brother, Salman Abedi, detonated an explosive vest as music fans left an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people and injuring 260 others.

Before the attack, the defendant, who was raised in Manchester, had left Britain and travelled to Libya.

He was arrested in Tripoli and extradited to the UK in July last year to face 22 charges of murder, one count for each victim.

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Hashem Abedi, now 22, the same age as his brother when he carried out the attack, also faces a single count of attempted murder, representing all the other victims, and conspiring with his brother to cause explosions.

On Monday, he appeared at London’s Old Bailey – the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales – for the start of his trial.

The defendant, wearing a dark blue shirt over a white t-shirt as well as dark blue jeans and black rimmed glasses, spoke only to confirm his identity.

He has previously denied all charges against him.

The case, which is due to last eight weeks, was adjourned until Wednesday by the judge.

A jury panel has yet to be selected and sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to be opened by prosecutor Duncan Penny QC later in the week.

Loved ones of the victims will be able to hear the evidence in Court Two of London’s Central Criminal Court, or by special video links.

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Source: News Agencies