Brother of Manchester bomber involved in terrorist plot in Libya

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Hashim Abedi, the younger brother of the Manchester bomber Salman Abedi, was part of an insurgent cell in Libya suspected of plotting an attack on the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

According to The Telegraph, diplomatic sources claim Hashim belonged to a group targeting Martin Kobler, head of UNSMIL during a visit to the capital Tripoli earlier this year.

However, the attack was interrupted before it could be carried out.

Libyan security services which were monitoring the insurgent group for months claim Abedi’s younger brother was a “significant player.”

Last week, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for an explosion at the Manchester Arena at the end of a pop concert which killed 22 people and injured dozens.

The UK police have identified 22-year-old Salman as the individual they suspect of having perpetrated the attack.

The police are currently carrying out an investigation into a suspected Islamist network behind the incident.

Hashim is being detained in Libya in the aftermath of the bombing for allegedly knowing about his brother’s movements and the plot, according to Ahmed Ben Salem, spokesman for the Special Deterrence Force in Tripoli.

British MI6 officers are thought to be in Tripoli running a joint investigation with the Libyan authorities into the brothers.

Investigators are also continuing to work around the clock to track down associates of Hashim amid fears he is part of a network plotting further attacks.

Authorities have arrested 13 people linked to the incident, and 11 remain in custody.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany