Arena bomb-maker 'used makeshift knives in attack'

Hashem Abedi appeared in court via video link from HMP Belmarsh

The Manchester Arena bomb-maker Hashem Abedi used five makeshift knives to conduct a terrorist attack on prison officers while shouting "Allahu akbar", prosecutors have alleged.

Abedi, 28, is serving life in prison for helping his suicide bomber brother murder 22 people in the Manchester Arena atrocity in 2017.

He has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of assault causing actual bodily harm, and one of possessing a knife over the alleged attack at the maximum security HMP Frankland in County Durham on 12 April.

Abedi earlier appeared in Woolwich Crown Court via video link from HMP Belmarsh flanked by five prison officers dressed in riot masks and protective body armour.

Abedi was convicted of assisting with the Manchester terror plot, in which his brother, suicide bomber Salman Abedi, killed 22 people by detonating a homemade rucksack bomb among a crowd of concert-goers.

He was jailed for life with a record-breaking 55-year minimum term in August 2020.

Five prison officers in riot masks and protective clothing surrounded Abedi as he appeared via live link

Abedi was wearing a grey tracksuit as he appeared before the court.

It is alleged that Abedi had three makeshift knives during the initial alleged assault, and collected two more from his cell after the attack had started.

Prosecutors have alleged he twice shouted '"Allahu akbar", meaning "God is greatest", during the attack, and that the alleged offences had a terrorist motivation.

Abedi spoke to provide his name and date of birth. When asked for his address, he said: "I'm at Belmarsh at the moment."

He answered "yeah" when asked if it was correct that he intends not to be legally represented.

Abedi was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on 17 October.

Following the incident in Frankland, three of the prison officers, two men and a woman, were taken to hospital, two with stab wounds.

In addition to allegedly using makeshift blades, Abedi has also been accused of throwing boiling hot liquid at officers during the attack.

At the time of the incident, the Prison Officers Association said the staff sustained life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds in an "unprovoked" and "vicious" attack.