‘We won’t give arena bomber’s bro to UK’
THE Libyan militia holding the Manchester arena bomber’s brother has refused to hand him over to the UK for trial on murder charges.
A request was made to Libya’s government to extradite Hashem Abedi.
But the 20-year-old was seized in Tripoli by the RADA Special Deterrence Force shortly after Salman Abedi, 22, killed 22 people.
The SWAT-style squad is loyal to the government but 24 hours after the request it said: “We will not extradite Hashem Abedi to UK authorities.”
Privately UK police hope to keep a dialogue with Libya. Greater Manchester Police was “grateful” the extradition plea had been considered.
Mayor Andy Burnham said: “I hope all authorities will work together to remove any barriers.”
Prime Minister Theresa May’s office said she was “determined to do everything” in her power to get a trial in the UK.
The Abedi family fled the Gaddafi regime but the brothers returned in April. Salman travelled alone to carry out the suicide attack on May 22.