Manchester Arena bomb-plotter 'used five makeshift knives in prison officers attack'

Manchester Arena bomb-maker Hashem Abedi used five makeshift knives in an alleged terror attack on prison guards, a court has heard. Abedi, 28, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court via video link from HMP Belmarsh surrounded by five prison officers on Friday.

He is accused of three counts of attempted murder after four prison officers were injured in a suspected ambush at HMP Frankland in County Durham on April 12. Abedi also faces one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of unauthorised possession of a knife or offensive weapon.

Prosecutors alleged Abedi had three makeshift knives in the initial alleged attack and later grabbed two more from his prison cell.

They also alleged he shouted "Allahu akbar" ("God is great") twice and was motivated by terrorism, according to the BBC.

Three of the prison officers were taken to hospital with serious injuries after they were allegedly attacked with hot oil and makeshift weapons in the alleged ambush.

At the time of the incident, the Prison Officers Association said staff sustained life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds. The Association said the alleged attack was "unprovoked" and "vicious".

Abedi was convicted of assisting with the Manchester terror plot, in which his brother, suicide bomber Salman Abedi, killed 22 people by detonating a homemade rucksack bomb among a crowd of concert-goers.

He was jailed for life with a record-breaking 55-year minimum term in August 2020.

During his appearance on Friday, he confirmed his name, date of birth and gave his address as HMP Belmarsh. He also agreed when asked if he intended to not be legally represented.

Abedi wasn't required to enter pleas to the charges and will next appear at the Old Bailey on October 17.