The brother of Salman Abedi, the Manchester Arena bomber, has been sentenced to a minimum of 55 years in prison for his involvement in the attack
There were audible gasps throughout the courtroom as Mr Justice Baker jailed Hashem Abedi for life as a result of the 22 counts of murder that he had been convicted of for the 2017 Manchester terror attack.
“The defendant should clearly understand the minimum term he should serve is 55 years. He may never be released,” he told the Old Bailey.
Hashem continued to refuse to leave his jail cell to attend the ruling in courtroom two as the Justice Baker passed sentence, with the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police accusing him of showing “contempt” for the families of those who had died in the attack.
This comes after Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is currently unconscious in hospital after suffering from a suspected poisoning, his spokesperson has said.
Ian Hopkins referred to the brothers as “cowardly” and “calculating murderers” whose goal was to try to divide society.
Twenty-two people were killed by Salman Abedi when he detonated an explosive device as people were exiting the venue after seeing an Ariana Grande concert. The killer died in the terror attack, while hundreds of other concert-goers were injured.
In March, the 23-year-old brother of Salman Abedi, Hashem Abedi, was found guilty by a jury over 22 counts of murder, as well as attempted murder and plotting to cause an explosion that was likely to endanger lives.
He assisting in sourcing, buying, stockpiling and the transport of the components for his brother’s explosive device, the court heard, they used a number of phones, vehicles and home addresses to prepare for the terror attack.
Figen Murray, mother of 29-year-old victim Martyn Hett, said to press outside the court: “We are the ones with the life sentence.”
She added: “For me personally, I know it’s a long sentence, but it’s just a number. To me, the sentence is totally irrelevant.
“My energy really is better suited to being directed to all the families that were in there alongside us.”
The family of 32-year-old Kelly Brewster said: “His sentence will never compare to the sentence we have to live for the rest of our lives without Kelly.”
“One day he will be free but we will forever be broken.”
This comes after Universities have been put into admissions “chaos” after the government’s U-turn last week on how A-level exams were graded in England, with some institutions already having reached capacity for new first-year students.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the attack was a “horrifying and cowardly act of violence which targeted children and families”.
“Those who were taken from us will never be forgotten, nor will the spirit of the people of Manchester who came together to send a clear message to the entire world that terrorists will never prevail,” he said.
Mr Johnson added: “Today’s sentencing is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of tolerance, community and kindness – values which are fundamental to our country, and which we saw in Manchester in the face of unimaginable tragedy.”
