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Concerns Raised After Attack on Guards by Manchester Bomber’s Brother

In a troubling incident at a prison, reports have emerged claiming that inmates were permitted access to a kitchen containing knives, despite being classified as highly dangerous and recommended for isolation from the general prisoner population. This revelation comes in the wake of an attack on three prison guards allegedly perpetrated by Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber.

Abedi, aged 28, reportedly used a makeshift weapon crafted from metal during the prolonged assault, in addition to utilizing cooking fat, leading to serious injuries among the staff, including third-degree burns to one officer.

In response to the incident, government officials announced new safety protocols aimed at improving conditions within the facility, including a prohibition on access to kitchen areas for particularly dangerous inmates.

Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), expressed deep frustration among staff, noting the trauma experienced by those affected, two of whom remain hospitalized as of now.

Fairhurst criticized the decision to allow inmates to access kitchen facilities loaded with dangerous utensils, emphasizing the risk it poses not only to staff but also to the integrity of security measures in the prison. “Providing access to such resources allows inmates to create weapons and pose a threat to staff, particularly those with ideological motivations,” he stated.

The union has long advocated for increased protective measures such as stab vests for prison officers. In this latest incident, one guard reportedly sustained five stab wounds, injuries that might have been mitigated if such protective gear had been available.

Among the inmates in the same unit as Abedi was Anjem Choudary, a notorious figure serving a life sentence for directing a terrorist organization and supporting Islamic State. It is believed that Choudary was in the prison gym during the attack.

Counter-terrorism police have taken the lead in investigating the incident, focusing on the separation unit designed to house extremists who may pose risks of radicalizing fellow inmates.

While detectives managed to briefly interview the injured officers, the two male officers, who bear the worst injuries, remain hospitalized, though their lives are not in jeopardy. The female officer involved has since been released from care.

Fairhurst remarked on the emotional toll this incident has taken on prison staff, remarking on the horror of such violent assaults against their colleagues. Investigators are probing whether the attacks were premeditated, highlighting that Abedi had exhibited no prior signs of trouble up to the incident.

Following these events, the prison service has halted kitchen access for inmates in separation units, potentially signaling a shift in policy regarding inmate privileges in high-risk contexts. The Ministry of Justice, responsible for overseeing prisons in England and Wales, has not disclosed Abedi’s specific whereabouts.

Abedi, while not currently under formal arrest, remains subject to investigation. This approach allows law enforcement to conduct their inquiry without the constraints of time limits that could arise from his arrest, while also ensuring that he remains isolated from others who may be at risk.

Families of victims from the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing have articulated their outrage in a letter to the government, expressing disbelief that Abedi could have access to any privileges given his history. They have called for his placement in permanent solitary confinement, arguing that he should not be allowed access to anything that could be weaponized.

The BBC has reported on the families’ letter, which explicitly states: “He should not be allowed any privileges whatsoever while serving a sentence for the deaths of 22 innocent lives and the injuring of many more.”

In light of the incident, a spokesperson for Keir Starmer stated that the Prime Minister is appalled by the events and recognizes a significant failure in the management of Abedi. The government has promised a thorough investigation to discern what went wrong.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson has confirmed immediate actions taken to restrict access to kitchens in separation and close supervision units, along with a commitment to conduct a comprehensive independent review to understand how such an attack could occur.

Source
www.theguardian.com