Brother of Manchester bomber convicted for not providing evidence in UK

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) - The brother of the Manchester Arena bomber was convicted Thursday for failing to show up to a public inquiry where he was ordered to give evidence.

Ismail Abedi, 28, fled the UK in 2021 and has not returned. He has also refused to cooperate with the inquiry.

The judge in the case said if Abedi does not turn up to the next hearing on Aug. 2, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.

“The court is bound to consider passing a custodial sentence. There is a very high level of public interest in ensuring people co-operate with public inquiries,” he said.

Abedi's brother, Salman, detonated a bomb at a concert in Manchester on May 22, 2017, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds.