Manchester Arena Bombing: Terrorists Attacks Three Prison Officers – Sixt-Media Lane
One of the Islamist terrorists behind the Manchester Arena bombing has allegedly attacked three prison officers with weapons and cooking oil in a high-security jail.
Two officers suffered life threatening injuries after being attacked in HMP Frankland in Durham by Hashem Abedi on Saturday, in a case that will raise questions about security measures in Britain’s prisons. Abedi is serving life for 22 murders in the Manchester Arena bombing.
The officers suffered burns and stab wounds when Abedi threw hot cooking oil over them before using home made weapons to stab the guards, the Prison Officers Association union said.
One of the officers was said to have been stabbed in the face and throat and had to be airlifted for emergency surgery at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. A second officer is still being treated in hospital. The third, a female officer, was released after treatment.
Prison union sources suggested that Abedi may have stolen a weapon from a prison kitchen although there were unconfirmed reports that a knife may have been supplied via a drone.
It is understood that Abedi was being held in one of the separation units in Frankland, which are designed for prisoners who pose a risk to staff and other inmates.
In 2020, Abedi, the brother of the Manchester bomber, Salman Abedi, was convicted and sentenced to three years and 10 months for a “vicious attack” on a prison officer in the high security unit of Belmarsh prison in May 2020.
Saturday’s attack comes amid reports of prison officers at Frankland placing vulnerable prisoners in separation units designed for high-risk inmates in order to keep them apart from Islamic extremists in an effort to maintain order and discipline.
Ian Acheson, a former prison governor who advised the Government on extremism in jails, said: “This is a catastrophic security failure. This will be a resignation issue. They have failed to manage someone who is profoundly and manifestly a dangerous terrorist.
“One of my recommendations to ministers was that they should have an independent adviser on counter-terrorism in prisons as I had no confidence in the senior leadership of the prison and probation service to manage the terrorist threat.”
He added: “Ministers needed independent oversight of how this was managed. The fact that they don’t means situations like this which are life threatening to staff will take place.
“Frankland was on a trajectory here to a serious terrorist incident. The complacency of the prison service in relation to terrorism is well known. Now we are seeing the fruits of that.”
Mark Fairhurst, the chairman of the POA, said: “This attack displays the dangers brave prison officers face on a daily basis. Separation centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology and, as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely.
“We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners to have. 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 and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change.”
Hashem Abedi is serving time for his part in the Manchester bombings carried out with his bother Salman Abedi,
Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: “This is an extremely concerning incident and my thoughts are with the officers affected.
“It comes following serious concerns about the prison leadership’s ability to contain the threat from Islamist extremist inmates. This appalling incident must be a turning point.”
Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, said on X: “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.”
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: “This monster should never have been in a position to hurt our brave prison officers. It is worth remembering that this family came as asylum seekers. The system is broken.”
A prison service spokesman said: “Three prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at HMP Frankland. Police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further. Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.”
About The Author
