UK: Manchester Arena bomber's brother to appear in court - police

SOT, Ian Hopkins, Chief Constable Greater Manchester Police: "Since the Manchester Arena attack of 22nd May 2017, our thoughts have been with the families of those who lost loved ones and the hundreds who are struggling with serious physical injuries and deep psychological effects. They have always been central to our investigation and will continue to be so at all times. I am now able to say that following application by the Crown Prosecution Service for the extradition of Hashem Abedi from Libya, that today he has been successfully extradited, for offences relating to the Manchester Arena attack. He was handed over by Libyan authorities to British police officers this morning. They escorted him on the flight back and he landed in the UK a short while ago. Greater Manchester Police officers have arrested Hashem Abedi for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life. He will be transferred to a police custody facility in London. Previously the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge of Hashem Abedi in respect of: The murder of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack; the attempted murder of persons other than the deceased victims; and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life. After processing at the police station, he will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in relation to those charges. I want to thank all those involved for their commitment to this investigation and the successful extradition of Hashem Abedi. We do understand that there has been a huge appetite for updates in relation to the extradition. We are pleased that we can now explain the progress that has been made. It is important to allow the judicial process to take place and we would ask media colleagues and the wider public to respect this."
SCRIPT
The younger brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi will appear in court on murder charges, according to a statement published Greater Manchester Police on Wednesday.
Hashem Abedi was detained in Libya shortly after the May 2017 suicide bombing which claimed the lives of 22 people and injured hundreds more.
He was extradited to the UK earlier in the day and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said.
Prosecutors brought the following charges against Abedi: The murder of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack; the attempted murder of persons other than the deceased victims; and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.