UK police apply to extradite brother of Manchester Arena suicide bomber

BRITISH POLICE have been granted a warrant for the arrest of the brother of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber for murder and are now trying to bring him back to the UK from Libya, anti-terror police said last night.

An extradition request was handed to the authorities in Libya where Hashem Abedi, brother of the bomber Salman Abedi, is currently in custody.

Both brothers travelled to Libya in April, then Salman returned alone before carrying out the attack on May 22, which left 22 dead and hundreds injured. Hashem Abedi is understood to be currently held by a militia group in Libya.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson, of Greater Manchester Police and head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit (NWCTU) said: “I can now say that following a review of the evidence by the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service), we have applied for and been granted a warrant for the arrest of Hashem Abedi.

“The arrest warrant relates to the murder of 22 people, the attempted murder of others who were injured and conspiracy to cause an explosion. Hashem Abedi is currently detained in Libya and the CPS has now requested that Libyan authorities consider his extradition back to the United Kingdom.

“We are grateful for the Libyan authorities considering this request. You will appreciate that we must not do or say anything that might prejudice a fair trial and that this remains an ongoing investigation.”

Mr Jackson said the warrant was issued by a judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the last fortnight, approved by the Home Secretary and the extradition request handed over to the authorities in Libya yesterday.