In a shocking incident at HMP Frankland in County Durham, Hashem Abedi—the brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi—has attacked three prison officers with scalding oil and improvised weapons.
The attack took place on Saturday, 12 April. The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) confirmed that Abedi, 28, threw hot cooking oil over staff before producing homemade weapons and stabbing the officers in what has been described as a “vicious” and “unprovoked” assault.
All three officers were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, including severe burns and stab wounds. One female officer was discharged later that afternoon, while the others remain under medical supervision.
Hashem Abedi is currently serving a life sentence for murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to cause an explosion, following his conviction in 2020 for assisting his brother’s terror attack at the Manchester Arena in May 2017. That bombing, which targeted an Ariana Grande concert, claimed 22 lives and left over 1,000 injured.
HMP Frankland is a Category A prison, housing some of the UK’s most dangerous inmates, including convicted terrorists. Abedi was being held in the prison’s specialist Separation Centre, designed for inmates with extremist beliefs.
Reacting to the attack, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on X (formerly Twitter): “I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families. The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated.”
POA national chair Mark Fairhurst said: “Separation Centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology… I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately. These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements.”
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed the incident, adding: “Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hardworking staff.”
Durham Police have launched an investigation. No further details have yet been released.
