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Manchester Arena bomber's brother jailed

A murderer who conspired with his brother to commit a terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena that killed 22 people has been sentenced.

Hashem Abedi, 23, formerly of Fallowfield, was ordered to serve a minimum of 55 years behind bars when sentenced on Thursday (20 August) at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey). 

It follows a six-week trial, which concluded in March, that found Abedi guilty of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.

Hashem plotted with his brother Salman in the months leading up to the attack, building a bomb that was detonated by Salman while people left the Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande music concert.

One of the victims, Martyn Hett, grew up living between Tameside and Heaton Moor and attended Oakfield Primary School in Hyde. His dad Paul and mum Kath live in Ashton and Paul runs a shop, Paul Hett Fishing Tackle and Trophies, on Market Street in Hyde.

Two of the victims, Alison Howe and Lisa Lees, were mums from Royton in Oldham who had arrived at the venue moments before the bomb went off to pick up their daughters who had been inside.

Many people from Tameside and Oldham were among hundreds who were also injured in the atrocity. 

Hashem persuaded close acquaintances to purchase chemicals that could be used to manufacture explosives, sourced metal drums that were used to build bomb prototypes and bought a white Nissan Micra car that was used to store bomb components in Manchester while the brothers were in Libya.

He also acted as his brother’s driver, travelling with Salman between addresses on Lindum Street, Rusholme and Somerton Court, Blackley where the brothers manufactured explosives.

After helping Salman accumulate materials needed to construct the final version of the bomb, the pair flew to Libya to see family on 15 April 2017.

While abroad, bomb components were stored in the Nissan Micra, parked near Devell House in Rusholme, before Salman returned to Manchester and created the final version of the bomb in a flat at Granby House in the city centre.

Salman detonated the device he and his brother created during the evening of 22 May 2017, killing himself and 22 other people, and injuring almost 1,000 members of the public.

Hashem was arrested in Libya the following day and successfully extradited to the UK on 17 July 2019.

'The end of a three-year quest for justice' 

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins, said: “Today marks the end of a three year quest for justice, following one of the worst terrorist attacks this country has seen, and one of the darkest days in our city’s history.

“Of course, for the families and friends of those twenty two souls whose lives were brutally cut short that night in May 2017, the pain will never fully diminish.  

“I know that no sentence will ever make amends for their loss, nor the suffering of the more than 1,000 people injured – many seriously or left with deep psychological wounds – who continue to live with the effect of this cowardly attack.

“I can only hope it brings some small measure of comfort to them that Abedi will spend the vast majority of the rest of his life behind bars – where he belongs.

“The division and hatred he sought to foster was, amidst the pain, met by strength and unity – by the courage of the victims’ families, the bravery of the survivors and the kindness and generosity of Greater Manchester as a whole.

“As we move forward from today I will choose to remember that enduring spirit – of a city galvanised against hatred that will never forget, nor fail to support those who continue to be affected.”  

'We hope this will bring a degree of comfort and resolution for the families' 

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The attack on the Manchester Arena, and the targeting of innocent children and families, was an act of pure evil. We said at the time that we would do whatever we could to ensure those responsible were brought to justice and it is a relief that it has finally happened.

"Today we think first of the families who lost loved-ones and everyone whose lives were changed forever by this appalling crime. We know today will be yet another difficult day for them and we will continue to support them in any we can, but we hope the fact that someone has at last been held accountable will bring a degree of comfort and resolution.

"On behalf of everyone affected by the events of 22 May 2017, I want to thank our own police force – Greater Manchester Police – for the way in which every officer from the Chief Constable downwards responded to this attack, in the outstanding care and support given to bereaved families, and in the highly professional and painstaking investigation which has secured this conviction.

"The investigation team, led by ACC Russ Jackson and DCS Simon Barraclough, has done an outstanding job, particularly in overcoming the many complexities thrown up by the extradition process, and we are hugely grateful to them all, as we are to the Government, and in particular to the Defence Secretary for the support he provided.

"This attack on our city and everything it represents caused untold misery. But ultimately it failed. It was meant to divide us but it only brought us closer together. And now one of those responsible is behind bars. So today is a day when our city and its people can take another step forward on the road to recovery from May 2017 and mark an important victory in the fight against hate, violence and terrorism." 

Paying tribute to the 'dedicated officers and police staff' 

Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, said: “Today, and every day, our thoughts are with those lost and their loved ones, those who were injured and everyone affected by the events of 22 May 2017.

“I would like to pay tribute to the dedicated officers and staff of Greater Manchester Police whose painstaking forensic investigations secured Abedi’s conviction and to the many other people who also worked tirelessly to secure his extradition and bring him back to face justice.

“While it is disappointing that Abedi couldn’t be given full life sentences due to his age at the time of the attack, I’m pleased the judge in this case has handed him the most severe penalty possible. Hashem Abedi has shown no remorse for his actions and the families of the victims were forced to endure a long and painful trial. He was not even in court to receive his sentence.

“I also want to remind the public that support is available for anyone who has been affected by this case and today’s sentencing, which may have triggered painful memories for those involved. Support is available via the Manchester Resilience Hub on 0333 009 5071 or visit GMVictims.org.uk.”

'We stayed strong, our kid' 

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds said: "Pleased to see a strong sentence. My thoughts today -and every day- are with the families, friends and survivors of the Arena attack.

"I won’t focus on the culprit’s names and faces, but on the 22 Mancs and honorary Mancs whose memories we keep alive through our resilience, our diversity and our refusal to be scared. We stayed strong, our kid." 

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