The brother of the Manchester Arena bomber attacked prison staff with a makeshift weapon, leaving three seriously injured. The incident happened at Frankland Prison in County Durham on April 12, 2025. Hashem Abedi was being held in a high-security unit meant for dangerous or influential inmates. There were fewer than 10 prisoners in the unit.
Attack Details
According to the Prison Officers’ Association, Abedi threw hot cooking oil at the officers and stabbed them with a makeshift weapon. The officers suffered burns, scalds, and stab wounds. Some injuries were life-threatening. The victims included two male and one female officer. The female officer has since been discharged from the hospital.
Background
Hashem Abedi is the brother of Salman Abedi, the main perpetrator of the Manchester Arena bombing. The attack happened on May 22, 2017, during Ariana Grande’s concert, resulting in 22 deaths and over 500 injuries. Salman Abedi died in the blast. In 2020, Hashem Abedi was convicted of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to cause explosions. He received a minimum 55-year prison sentence. In 2022, he was found guilty of attacking two prison officers and received an additional three years and 10 months.
Aftermath
Mark Fairhurst, chair of the Prison Officers’ Association, called for a review of prisoner freedoms and restrictions on access to potentially dangerous items. The BBC reported on the incident, citing sources.
Source: BBC
