Hashem Abedi: Brother of Manchester Arena bomber being extradited to UK

The brother of Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi is being extradited to the UK to face trial over his alleged involvement in the terror attack, according to a military group in Libya.

"I confirm you that Hashem [Abedi] is now in the air on his way to the UK," said Ahmed Bin Salem, a spokesman for the Tripoli-based special deterrence force, Rada.

"He is extradited in accordance to a court verdict," he added.

Hashem Abedi was arrested in Libya by Rada shortly after his brother Salman blew himself up at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017, killing 22.

Information published by the military group two days after his detention claimed he was a member of Islamic State, and was the younger of the two brothers.

It said he was born in Manchester and was a university engineering student in the city - which he left days before the terror attack, but was in constant contact with his brother.

The families of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack were told about his return to the UK by Greater Manchester Police this morning, according to Sky sources.

It is understood police explained the operation to bring Hashem Abedi back to the UK from Libya needed to be kept secret due to the ongoing civil conflict in the country.

Britain requested his extradition in 2017 to face charges over his alleged involvement in the bombing.

It came after police issued an arrest warrant against him for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "We are still awaiting the outcome of the CPS request for Hashem Abedi's extradition from Libya."

Children were among those killed hen Salman Abedi detonated a homemade bomb in the foyer of the Manchester Arena two years ago.

The 22-year-old was born in Manchester after his parents fled the Gaddafi regime in Libya.

In July last year it emerged that he and his brother Hashem, plus around 100 other stranded British citizens, were rescued from the Libyan civil war by the Royal Navy.

Salman Abedi was being monitored by UK security forces until a month before the evacuation.

The Libyan government had previously said they expected Hashem Abedi - now reportedly aged 22 - to be extradited to the UK before the end of last year. But his extradition was delayed due to fighting in Libya.

Rada - which has been holding him since his arrest - is allied with a UN-recognised government in the capital.

The country has been split between competing political and military factions since disputed elections in 2014, following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed Muammar Gaddafi.