Hashem Abedi, the convicted Manchester Arena bomb plotter, is once again at the center of national attention after being charged with three counts of attempted murder following a violent attack on prison officers at HMP Frankland, a maximum-security facility in County Durham. The incident, which unfolded in April 2025, has reignited public outrage and prompted urgent questions about prison security and the management of high-risk inmates.
Abedi, 28, was already serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 55 years for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people and injured over 1,000 others at an Ariana Grande concert. His older brother, Salman Abedi, carried out the suicide attack, detonating a homemade device as concertgoers left the venue—a moment that remains etched in the nation’s memory. According to BBC News, Hashem Abedi was found guilty in 2020 of helping plan the atrocity, making him one of the most notorious prisoners in the UK.
The latest charges stem from a violent episode that occurred on either 11 or 12 April 2025—sources vary slightly on the date—inside the separation unit of HMP Frankland. Abedi, housed there due to his high-risk status, allegedly attacked four prison officers. Three of them sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital. Details released by The Guardian and The Independent reveal that the assault involved the use of makeshift knives and hot cooking oil, with officers reportedly stabbed and doused during the chaos. The fourth officer was also assaulted, though less severely.
Counter Terrorism Policing North East, working alongside Durham Constabulary and prison authorities, conducted what they described as a "thorough investigation" into the incident. Their efforts culminated in Abedi being charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and one count of unauthorised possession of a knife or offensive weapon within the prison. The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized these charges, and Abedi is being prosecuted under the terrorism protocol. This means prosecutors will argue that the attack was motivated by terrorism, a claim that adds a further layer of gravity to the case.
Abedi remains in custody within the prison estate and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 18 September 2025. Following the attack, he was moved from HMP Frankland, with reports from Sky News and BBC News indicating that the prison authorities acted swiftly to contain the situation and protect staff.
The aftermath of the attack has been marked by public outcry, especially from survivors and the families of those killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. In a letter addressed to government officials, the families of five victims—Megan Hurley, Eilidh Macleod, Chloe Rutherford, Liam Curry, and Kelly Brewster—expressed their disbelief and anger. "We are writing in absolute disbelief that, once again, the evil Hashem Abedi has been allowed to cause danger to life," the letter states, as reported by The Independent. "As the families of our beautiful, beloved children who were so tragically murdered along with 16 others in the Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017, we find this situation beyond comprehension."
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has responded to these concerns by announcing a full, independent review into how the attack was able to happen. An MoJ spokesperson offered assurances in a statement, saying, "The Government will do whatever it takes to keep our hardworking staff safe, and our thoughts remain with the two prison officers still in hospital as they recover. We’ve already taken immediate action to suspend access to kitchens in separation and close supervision centres." This move comes after it was revealed that access to cooking facilities had played a role in the attack, with prisoners able to obtain hot oil and potentially fashion improvised weapons.
Questions are now being raised about the adequacy of security measures in high-risk prison units. Abedi had previously attacked prison officers at London’s MMP Belmarsh in 2020, prompting his transfer to HMP Frankland’s separation centre. Yet, despite these precautions, he was still able to orchestrate another violent assault. The Ministry of Justice’s decision to suspend kitchen access is intended as an immediate safeguard, but the upcoming review is expected to address broader systemic issues.
The investigation into the incident has also highlighted the complexity of managing inmates convicted of terrorism-related offences. Abedi’s prosecution under the terrorism protocol underscores the ongoing challenge of preventing radicalized individuals from posing further threats, even while incarcerated. Counter Terrorism Policing North East emphasized the seriousness of the case and the collaborative approach taken with local police and prison authorities.
Abedi’s background remains a source of public interest and debate. According to police statements, his nationality is British and his ethnicity is Asian (self-defined). He was housed in the separation unit at HMP Frankland at the time of the attack, a facility designed for prisoners who pose a particular risk to others or are at risk themselves. The attack has led to renewed scrutiny of these specialized units and their effectiveness in containing dangerous individuals.
The severity of the incident is underscored by the injuries suffered by the prison officers, three of whom required hospitalization. The government’s swift response—both in launching a review and in suspending kitchen access—reflects the urgency of the situation and the need to reassure prison staff and the public that lessons will be learned. The Ministry of Justice has reiterated its commitment to staff safety, stating that "immediate action" has been taken and that the welfare of injured officers remains a top priority.
For many, the news of Abedi’s latest alleged crimes is a painful reminder of the devastation wrought by the Manchester Arena bombing. The attack in 2017 was one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in recent British history, and the scars it left—both physical and emotional—are still felt by survivors and victims’ families. The fact that Abedi has been implicated in another violent act, this time within the supposedly secure confines of a high-security prison, has only deepened the sense of outrage and disbelief among those affected.
As the case moves toward a court hearing in September, attention will focus on the outcome of the independent review and any further measures introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future. The story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the prison system in managing individuals convicted of the most serious offences, and of the ongoing impact of terrorism on British society.
The coming months are likely to see continued debate over prison security, staff safety, and the broader issue of how best to deal with convicted terrorists. For now, the families of the Manchester Arena victims—and the prison officers injured in the latest attack—are left waiting for answers and for justice to take its course.