Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi’s brother ‘helped buy chemicals to make IED’ as he denies 22 murder charges
THE brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi helped buy bomb-making chemicals for the terrorist attack that killed 22 people, a court today heard.
Hashem Abedi, 22, was also accused of buying a Nissan Micra to store bomb components during an appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Abedi sat impassively in the court as the names of each person killed in the 2017 attack were read out.
Zafar Ali QC, defending, said he denied the charges against him and no formal pleas were entered during the 15-minute hearing.
Abedi, who was raised in Manchester, fled to Libya before his older brother detonated his suicide vest as pop fans left an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester.
It is alleged Abedi attempted to buy bomb-making chemicals, and assisted in buying the Nissan to store the terror kit.
BOMB-MAKING KIT
He is also accused of making detonator tubes for use in the explosive.
Prosecutor Kathryn Selby told the court Abedi had been charged with 22 counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of conspiring with his brother to cause explosions.
The court heard that 260 people were seriously injured, some with with life-changing injuries, following the blast.
At least 600 people reported psychological harm, the court was told.
Abedi wore a grey tracksuit and glasses and was flanked by two police officers and three security guards in court.
LIBYA ARREST
Mr Ali told the court that his client had been in solitary confinement since his arrest in Libya two years ago, and had been tortured by the Special Deterrence Force in Tripoli, also known as Rada.
He said Abedi was forced to sign a 40-page confession under extreme duress.
He added that his client did not contest extradition because he wanted to return to the UK to clear his name.
Abedi spoke only to give his name and date of birth to the court, and to confirm his nationality as British.
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Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot remanded him in custody ahead of a bail hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Monday.
Inquests into the killings have been on hold while criminal proceedings against Abedi remained in limbo.
A preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey is set for July 30.
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