Table of Contents
- Plea of Not Guilty
- Allegations Against Abedi
- Prosecutor's Statement
- Trial Details
- Previous Conviction
MANCHESTER bomb plotter Hashem Abedi has entered a plea of not guilty regarding accusations of carrying out “terrorist” attacks on prison officers using cooking oil.
The 28-year-old faces allegations of employing hot oil and improvised weapons while at HMP Frankland, Co.
Abedi has pleaded not guilty to the chargesCredit: Central News
The alleged incidents occurred at HMP FranklandCredit: PA
Abedi reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar” twice during the incidents in April.
He appeared at the Old Bailey today, where he denied attempting to murder officers Paul Crampton, Gary Speight, and Catherine Herbert.
Abedi also pleaded not guilty to assaulting a fourth prison officer, Craig Thompson, causing him actual bodily harm.
Additionally, he denied possessing a bladed or sharply pointed article, specifically a knife, within HMP Frankland.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC stated that the case has ties to terrorism.
She added: “During a session where he was allowed to use cooking equipment, he attacked and attempted to murder three prison officers with hot oil and improvised weapons he had created himself.
“He also assaulted a fourth prison officer.”
Ms. Ledward noted that there was no evidence suggesting the defendant harbored any prior animosity or grievances towards the victims.
The prosecutor claimed that Abedi exhibited an extremist mindset—“especially considering his conviction in 2020 related to the Arena bombing.”
A trial expected to last up to three weeks is scheduled for January 18, 2027.
Abedi, who appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh, represented himself during today’s proceedings.
When asked if he desired legal representation, he responded: “I don’t want to attend anyway, that’s what it is.”
He has been remanded in custody pending a hearing on January 30 next year.
Abedi was convicted of conspiring to commit the Manchester terror attack in May 2017.
His brother, Salman Abedi, killed 22 people, including children, by detonating a homemade rucksack bomb at an Ariana Grande concert.
Abedi was sentenced to life imprisonment with a historic minimum term of 55 years in August 2020.
Abedi will go to trial in 2027Credit: Central News
What were the charges against Hashem Abedi?
Hashem Abedi faced charges related to attempting to murder prison officers and assaulting one officer, along with possession of a bladed article inside HMP Frankland.
When is Hashem Abedi's trial scheduled?
The trial is set to commence on January 18, 2027, and is expected to last up to three weeks.
What is Hashem Abedi's background related to terrorism?
Hashem Abedi was previously convicted for his involvement in the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017, where his brother Salman Abedi detonated a bomb, killing 22 people.
