UK police arrest another man in concert bombing probe

Team Udayavani, May 26, 2017, 3:01 PM IST

London (UK): British police have made another arrest in connection with the deadly suicide bombing at a pop concert in Manchester this week as investigators focus on intercepting the wider terror network the suicide bomber was reportedly part of.

Greater Manchester Police said the man was taken into custody after a property search at an address in the Moss Side area of Manchester.

“As it stands, 10 people in total have been arrested in connection with the investigation, of which a man and a woman have since been released without charge. Eight men remain in custody for questioning,” a police statement said.

Investigators believe 22-year-old Manchester-born suicide bomber Salman Abedi, from a Libyan-origin family, acted as part of a terrorist network and their focus remains on intercepting his wider network.

Some reports indicate that the security forces are on the hunt for a second device made by Abedi which may now be with a member of this network.

In the Libyan capital Tripoli, Abedi’s younger brother 20-year-old Hashem, and their father, Ramadan, are being held by special forces linked to the interior ministry.

According to media reports, Abedi was known to UK security services, but his risk to the public remained “subject to review”.

The UK terror threat level remains “critical”, meaning another attack could be imminent and additional Army and armed police officers are patrolling major sites, including the transport network, across the UK.

Meanwhile, national level campaigning for the June 8 general election is set to resume today after local level campaigns resumed yesterday following suspension in the wake of the attack.

Monday night’s attack at Manchester Arena during the Ariana Grande concert killed 22 people and injured 119. Sixty four injured still remain hospitalised.