£10m bill to jail terrorist Abedi
FURY OVER ARENA BOMB BROTHER
TAXPAYERS face a bill of up to £10million to keep the Manchester Arena bomber’s brother in jail for the next 55 years.
Hashem Abedi could spend the rest of his life behind bars in one of the UK’s most secure prisons at a cost of around £240 a day – or £5m in total.
But that is likely to double if he retains his vulnerable prisoner status, with extra protection measures, for his full sentence.
Security costs can rocket and all of Abedi’s activities will be scrutinised by a team of officers.
Even the basic daily cost of detaining the jihadi is more than the £199 cost of a night at the five-star Rubens at the Palace hotel, overlooking Buckingham Palace in central London.
Andrew Hardy, who lost 15-year-old daughter Olivia in the attack, is furious that victims’ relatives will help foot the bill through taxes.
He said: “The family members and the people who survived will have to pay towards it all.
“We have a life sentence, he gets 55 years and we have to pay for it.”
Abedi, 23, was sentenced this week after being convicted of murder for helping suicide bomber Salman plan the attack that killed 22 people – many of them children – at an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017.
He committed the offence when he was under 21, meaning he could not be given a whole-life sentence. Abedi will be held in a top-security category
A jail, where he will be constantly watched by a team of officers who will be responsible for his safety.
He is also likely to be kept away from the main prison population and have his own cell, where he will have a TV and computer games. Jeremy Hutton, from the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “While most people will agree that terrorists must be locked up under the most secure conditions, taxpayers don’t expect them to enjoy such cushy incarceration as this individual may receive.” Despite Abedi being put on a wing for prisoners at risk of attack, such as paedophiles, inmates predicted he would soon be assaulted.
A prison source said: “Abedi will spend his time in jail looking over his shoulder. Someone will get to him. Even if he is kept in virtual solitary confinement he will be at risk.” Within hours of his sentencing, comments slamming Abedi appeared on a Facebook page used by inmates. One said: “Big man blowing people up but now he’s in reality and I hope dies a slow death.”
Another added: “You are going to die in jail you worthless piece of sh**.” The Ministry of Justice said they do not comment on individual inmates.