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18 October 2025

Manchester Arena Bombmaker Denies Prison Attack Charges

Hashem Abedi pleads not guilty to attempted murder in alleged terrorist assault on prison officers, with trial set for January 2027.

Hashem Abedi, the convicted bombmaker notorious for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, is once again at the center of a high-profile legal case—this time, for allegedly attempting to murder three prison officers in what prosecutors describe as a terrorist assault. Abedi, now 28, has pleaded not guilty to the charges at the Old Bailey in London, setting the stage for a trial that will be closely watched by the public and the families of those affected by his past crimes.

The incident at the heart of these new charges took place on April 12, 2025, inside HMP Frankland, a high-security prison in County Durham. According to multiple reports from BBC and other outlets, the prosecution alleges that Abedi attacked four prison officers with makeshift knives and threw boiling liquid at them. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC told the court that Abedi twice shouted “Allahu akbar”—translated as “God is greatest”—during the alleged assault, underscoring what authorities argue was a clear terrorist motivation behind his actions.

Abedi’s notoriety stems from his conviction for aiding his brother, Salman Abedi, in the 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. That attack claimed 22 lives, including those of several children, and left the UK reeling from one of its deadliest acts of terrorism in recent memory. Since then, Hashem Abedi has been serving a life sentence, but the shadow of his involvement in the atrocity continues to loom large over every new development in his legal saga.

During the recent hearing at the Old Bailey, Abedi faced three counts of attempted murder, one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, and one count of possessing offensive weapons inside the prison. Prosecutors allege that, in the course of the attack, he initially wielded three makeshift knives and later retrieved two more from his cell. The violence left three officers—two men and one woman—hospitalized, with two suffering stab wounds, according to BBC and El-Balad. The fourth officer, though targeted, did not require hospital treatment.

Abedi’s court appearance was anything but conventional. He appeared by video link from HMP Belmarsh, another high-security facility, flanked by five prison officers clad in riot masks and protective body armour. Dressed in a grey prison tracksuit, Abedi spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. He firmly declined legal representation and made it clear he had no interest in attending the proceedings, telling Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, “I don’t wanna attend anyway that’s what it is.”

The court was told that the alleged offences bore the hallmarks of a terrorist act. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC emphasized that Abedi’s repeated cries of “Allahu akbar” during the attack were significant, and the combination of makeshift weapons and boiling liquid pointed to a calculated and dangerous assault. The prosecution’s narrative paints a picture of a man still motivated by extremist ideology, even while behind bars.

As for the details of the attack itself, the reports agree on the essentials: Abedi is accused of targeting four officers in a sudden and violent outburst. He allegedly began the assault with three homemade knives, then returned to his cell to retrieve two more. The use of boiling liquid as a weapon added a further layer of brutality to the incident. The officers’ injuries were serious enough to require hospital treatment for three of them, with two suffering stab wounds—a stark reminder of the risks faced by prison staff, especially those dealing with high-profile terrorist offenders.

Abedi’s decision to represent himself—or, more accurately, to refuse representation—has raised eyebrows. Legal experts note that defendants in high-stakes cases often rely on experienced counsel, but Abedi’s rejection of legal help and his stated unwillingness to participate in the proceedings may complicate the trial process. His next scheduled appearance at the Old Bailey is set for January 30, 2026, with the full trial due to commence on January 18, 2027.

The case has reignited public debate about the management of convicted terrorists within the UK’s prison system. HMP Frankland and HMP Belmarsh are both known for housing some of the country’s most dangerous inmates, including those convicted of terrorism-related offences. The attack raises questions about security protocols and the ongoing threat posed by radicalized prisoners. For many, the fact that Abedi was able to fashion multiple weapons and orchestrate such an assault inside a high-security facility is deeply troubling.

Reactions among the public and those close to the Manchester Arena victims have been understandably strong. The memory of the 2017 bombing remains fresh, and any news involving Hashem Abedi is bound to stir emotions. While Abedi maintains his innocence regarding the latest charges, the prosecution’s case is likely to draw on his previous conviction and the context of his incarceration for terrorism. The court will have to weigh the evidence carefully, balancing the need for justice with the rights of the accused.

This legal drama also puts a spotlight on the broader issue of radicalization in prisons. The UK has invested heavily in counter-terrorism measures within its correctional facilities, but incidents like this suggest that challenges remain. The upcoming trial will not only determine Abedi’s fate regarding the alleged attack but may also prompt a fresh look at how the prison system handles inmates convicted of terrorism.

For now, Hashem Abedi remains in custody, awaiting his next court date. The officers injured in the attack are recovering, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those tasked with guarding some of the nation’s most notorious criminals. As the trial approaches, all eyes will be on the Old Bailey, where the latest chapter in the Abedi saga is set to unfold.

With the facts laid bare and the stakes as high as ever, the coming months promise to bring further scrutiny—not just of Hashem Abedi, but of the systems and safeguards designed to prevent violence behind bars.