Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett’s mum reveals she forgives terrorist Salman Abedi who killed her son

THE heartbroken mother of Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett has said she forgives terrorist Salman Abedi for killing her son, refusing to go “down the route of hate”.

Figen Murray spoke about the loss of her son in a moving interview, saying she believes the ISIS-inspired mass murderer was brainwashed.

Martyn, 29, from Stockport, was among the 22 who lost their lives at the Manchester Arena Ariana Grande concert.

Mrs Murray, speaking alongside Martyn’s stepdad Stuart Murray, told the “I don’t know what his name was, the man who did this, and I don’t waste time thinking about him, but I don’t hate him.

“I have forgiven him.

“I think it is really important to step back and remember we are human beings.

“I need to stay within my humanity rather than go down the route of hate and disgust.

“I can’t do that because this young man, whatever possessed him to do that, he was brought up in the wrong way.

“He was brainwashed and he was radicalised at a young age, and he did it for nothing.

“In 10 year’s time maybe people won’t remember his name, but they will remember Martyn’s name and the names of the 22 people who died.

“He wasted his life, but we know Martyn didn’t waste a minute.”

The mum also told how she’d been abused online after being pictured smiling since the atrocity.

She added: “As a mother I feel comforted by how much Martyn enjoyed life.

“I have been criticised for smiling too much and not looking like a grieving mother.

“I can kind of get that because I am not crying publicly, but believe me I am in bits inside.

“What gives me great comfort is knowing that Martyn lived every second to the full.”

The victim’s funeral is due to take place at Stockport Town Hall on Friday next week.

Yesterday it was revealed that Muslims in Manchester are being subjected to 500 per cent more Islamophobic hate crimes following the Ariana Grande concert bombing.

Threats, physical attacks and vandalism against Muslims in the area have surged since May 22, Greater Manchester Police have revealed.

224 reports of Islamophobic crimes and incidents have been received by cops in the four weeks following the Manchester bomb attack.

Last year there were only 37 reports of Islamophobic crimes and incidents in the same period.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “Greater Manchester has a diverse population, with people from different faiths and backgrounds and this is something that we are proud of, it’s what makes us the city we are.

“We will not tolerate hatred or discrimination of any kind.”