Manchester bombing terrorist Salman Abedi’s brother accused of helping carry out atrocity could refuse to face trial in UK
THE Manchester bomber's brother accused of helping carry out the terror attack could refuse to face trial in the UK, it is claimed.
Hashem Abedi, 21, is said to have played a "key role" in the bomb blast a year ago today that killed 22 people including seven children.
He allegedly helped brother Salman, 22, buy materials for the explosive that he detonated at the Manchester Arena.
But Abedi could escape British justice by refusing to face trial over here, reports.
The terror suspect has been locked in a dispute with militia in Libya, where he is being held, over plans to extradite him to the UK.
But a senior source in the office of Libya’s Attorney General has told the website Abedi could object to the extradition and refuse to be moved.
If the British citizen also holds Libyan citizenship, the request would have to be considered under Libyan law.
The source told the Mail: "It is important to note, if the accused has objections to being handed over to Britain and requests not to be handed over, then under Libyan law his request must be considered."
MPs have slammed the claims as an insult to the victims and their families as they confirmed Britian will continue to battle to bring the suspect to the UK to face trial.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "I am clear that he was brought up in the UK and this is a crime that happened here, so it is essential he is extradited and tried in the UK."
Security minister Ben Wallace said: "This was a callous and evil act and the victims and their families deserve and demand justice."
The Times has also reported the militia holding him has been disbanded - meaning Abedi could still be extradited.
The head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson of Greater Manchester Police said: "We are preparing for a trial."
A warrant for Abedi's arrest was issued on November 1 in relation to questioning over allegations of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion.
The ongoing inquiry has seen an extensive search of 11,000 tonnes of rubbish at a landfill site in Bury for a large blue suitcase the bomber was seen on CCTV carrying in Manchester on May 22.
It comes as police revealed more than 800 people suffered physical and psychological injuries from the bombing.
A team of 100 officers are continuing to interview witnesses, painstakingly watch thousands of hours of CCTV and analyse forensic material in the £4million probe.
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More than 2,000 witness statements have been taken along with the seizure of more than 13,000 exhibits and the examination of 16 terabytes of data.
The atrocity saw a bomb explode in the foyer of Manchester Arena moments after US pop star Ariana Grande left the stage on May 22, 2017.
Nuts and bolts were sent flying into the screaming crowds after Salman Abedi detonated the explosive killing 22 people including a six-year-old girl.
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