Manchester bomber's brother extradited from Libya to the UK
Hashem Abedi has been arrested in connection with the attack
The brother of the Manchester Arena bomber is in police custody after being extradited from Libya to the UK in connection with the attack which killed 22 people.
Hashem Abedi landed at an unspecified London airport on Wednesday, escorted by British police officers, after months of work to ensure his extradition to the UK.
Abedi left the UK in the days before his older brother Salman carried out his suicide bombing as thousands of people left the Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017.
Ian Hopkins, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: The Crown Prosecution Service successfully applied for the extradition of Hashem Abedi from Libya and today he has been extradited for offences relating to the Manchester Arena attack.
He was handed over by Libyan authorities to British police officers this morning.
They escorted him on the flight back and they landed in the United Kingdom a short while ago.''
He said the CPS had previously authorised the charge of Hashem Abedi in respect of the murder of the 22 victims, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.
He remains in custody at a London police station.
Security Minister Ben Wallace said: ?I am pleased that the extradition of Hashem Abedi to the UK has been completed.
It has been a huge effort by the police, Foreign Office and Home Office to ensure that the law can take its course.
My thanks to the Libyan authorities for their support.
Today my thoughts are with the victims of the Manchester Arena attacks and I can assure them that we will not rest until justice is done.'
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
"The attack on the Manchester Arena was an appalling act and many people suffer the consequences of it every day. It is therefore right and proper that those affected will be able to see a judicial process on British soil. We think of them all today and recommit to support them in every possible way on the difficult road that lies ahead.
“We have been working towards this day and the fact it has finally arrived is down to the determination of Greater Manchester Police, the Government and key contacts in Libya. On behalf of the people of Greater Manchester, I would like to thank them all but particularly the Security Minister Ben Wallace for his consistent support, and the Chief Constable and his team for the exemplary way in which they have pursued this complex process.
“Today is an important day in the recovery process for our city.