Bomber’s brother denies aiding Ariana Grande concert bombing

The brother of the man who killed 22 people in a bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017 has denied any involvement in the attack.
Hashem Abedi appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday (18Jul19) to face charges over the murders of 22 people, one count of attempted murder and one count of conspiring to cause an explosion likely to endanger. He arrived in the U.K. on Wednesday after being extradited from Libya.
According to Sky News, during the 15-minute hearing, he stood to give his name and date of birth to the court, and confirmed he currently has no fixed address but is a British national.
Abedi’s lawyer said that although his client was not required to enter a formal plea, he denied all the charges against him. He has been remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until a bail hearing at Oxford Crown Court in England on Monday.
The accused left the U.K. before his older brother Salman detonated a homemade explosive device as thousands of people left Ariana’s gig at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017. Children were among the 22 killed in the blast and hundreds were injured. Salman was also killed in the explosion.
Inquests into deaths from the attack have been put on hold until the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
Ariana was left devastated by the tragedy, but returned to Manchester with a host of stars, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, for a huge charity concert raising funds for those injured and victims’ families.