Brother of Manchester Arena bomber refuses to enter court

Picture courtesy of Greater Manchester Police

The brother of the Manchester Arena bomber has refused to enter the Old Bailey courtroom where he is due to be sentenced for the murder of 22 people.

Hashem Abedi was convicted of killing the 22 people at the Arena back in May 2017.

It was his brother, Salman Abedi, who carried out the attack, exploding a backpack in the foyer of the arena shortly after the end of a sold-out concert by American singer Ariana Grande.

22-people, including two from Oldham, were killed and hundreds more left injured.

The Old Bailey in London, heard Hashem Abedi helped his brother to plan the “sudden and lethal” blast.

But just as a two-day sentencing hearing was due to get under way this morning (Wednesday 19th August) the court was told Abedi had refused to leave his cell.

Mr Justice Jeremy Baker told the court “I have no power to direct that force be used to compel him to come into court.”

The judge added that Hashem Abedi wouldn’t be present in the dock for the sentencing hearing and the victim impact statements would be read out without him there to the listen to them.

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