Manchester bombers’ older sibling apologises to victims

THE older brother of Hashem and Salman Abedi has apologised to families of the Manchester Arena bombing “for all the pain” caused by his siblings.

Ismail Abedi said he had “no idea his brothers had taken this path”, as he spoke out yesterday for the first time since they carried out the atrocity in 2017.

Speaking to Sky News, Ismail said: “I want to apologise on behalf of my family to the victims, for all the pain Hashem and Salman caused.”

It came hours after his brother Hashem was handed a 55-year minimum term at the Old Bailey, in what became the longest sentence in British criminal history.

The 23-year-old was found guilty of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and plotting to cause an explosion likely to endanger life, for his part in the arena bombing which was carried out by his brother Salman. Twenty-two people were killed in the attack during an Ariana Grande concert on May 22.

Responding to his brother’s sentence, Ismail said: “I’m glad this has happened because I can put it all behind me, get on with my life

‘The past three years have been hell. What’s happened has happened. I can’t stop it now. I can’t go back’

and look after my family.” The older Abedi, who grew up in Manchester along with his siblings, was arrested by counter terrorism police but was released without charge.

“The past three years have been hell. I’ve lost two brothers and my family is ripped apart because of it. What’s happened has happened. I can’t stop it now, I can’t go back. It’s done and dusted. He died; they died,” he added.