Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi's older brother has left the UK, public inquiry hears

People arrive at the Manchester Arena prior to the We Are Manchester benefit show, amid heightened security at the re-opening of the arena tonight for the first time since the terror attack by suicide bomber Salman Abedi who detonated his device in the foyer of the venue at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 and injuring scores of others on May 22.
Peter Byrne
Samantha Haynes

By Samantha Haynes


Published: 19/10/2021

- 11:01

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:39

Both Ismail Abedi and Ahmed Taghdi had been given court orders warning them to attend the inquiry this week

The older brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi has left the UK and the bomber’s childhood friend was arrested on Monday trying to leave the country, the public inquiry into the terror attack has heard.

Both Ismail Abedi and Ahmed Taghdi had been given court orders warning them to attend the inquiry this week to answer questions about the radicalisation of the bomber who carried out the May 22, 2017 attack.

Paul Greaney QC, addressing chairman of the inquiry Sir John Saunders, said Ismail Abedi had refused to co-operate with the inquiry but was ordered to attend on Thursday.

However, he is no longer in the country and there is “no indication” when he will return.

Mr Greaney said: “As he surely must understand, if he does not do so, the public may infer that he has something to hide and, so Sir, may you.”

Ahmed Taghdi was told on Friday if he did not attend the inquiry this week he would be arrested. He attempted to leave the country on Monday and, as a result, was arrested.

The public inquiry, sitting in Manchester, continues.

NewsManchesterUK News
You may like