UK in extradition bid for pop concert bomber's brother

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

The U.K. security authorities have filed an extradition request with their Libyan counterparts for the return of Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber who killed 22 people and injured more than 500 in May.

In a statement on the update of the bombing investigation, the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said they “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,” it added.

Hashem Abedi was detained by members of the Rada Special Deterrence Force in Libya a day after the attack that rocked Manchester.

“Hashem Abedi is currently detained in Libya and the [Crown Prosecution Service] has now requested that Libyan authorities consider his extradition back to the United Kingdom,” the GMP said.

The police also said they were grateful to the Libyan authorities for considering the request.

British-born Salman Abedi is believed to have been behind the suicide bombing in Manchester Arena. The blast targeted a foyer as people left a concert by U.S. pop singer Ariana Grande on May 22.