Abedi inquest is adjourned as police bid to extradite brother

THE inquest into the death of the Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi has been adjourned as police try to bring his brother to the UK to face charges.

A pre-inquest review into the death of Salman Abedi, who murdered 22 innocent people at the venue in May, was yesterday held at Manchester town hall

Fiona Borrill, area coroner for Manchester, said due to the ongoing criminal investigation by police, the inquest into the death of Abedi, 22, could not take place yet.

Ms Borrill said during the threeminute hearing that the coroner’s court had written to Abedi’s family to inform them of the planned adjournment. Police have previously named the bomber’s brother, Hashem Abedi, as a prime suspect.

And Ms Borrill said: “Police are currently undertaking a criminal investigation. A suspect has been identified who is currently in custody in Libya.

“It has been made public knowledge that the suspect has been identified and that there is a request to extradite him to the UK from Libya, and that if he is returned he will be arrested and charged. Any future criminal proceedings have to take precedence over the inquest proceedings. If that individual is returned a request will be made to suspend the inquest until the end of the criminal proceedings.”

Ms Borrill said for these practical and legal reasons the inquest into Abedi’s death was adjourned until June 28, 2018. Only court officials, press and two uniformed police officers were present during the hearing.