#Brother of Manchester bomber gets at least 55 years in prison

Hashem Abedi
Libya’s Special Deterrence Force/AFP via Getty Images

Hashem Abedi, 22, was sentenced to life in prison following his conviction on 22 counts of murder — one for each of the innocent fans he helped brother Salman Abedi slaughter at the singer’s 2017 show in Manchester.

“Although Salman Abedi was directly responsible, it was clear the defendant took an integral part in the planning,” Judge Jeremy Baker said Thursday as he ordered Hashem to serve a minimum of 55 years of the life term before becoming eligible for release, according to Sky News.

“The motivation for them was to advance the ideology of Islamism, a matter distinct to and abhorrent to the vast majority for those who follow the Islamic faith,” he continued.

“The defendant and his brother were equally culpable for the deaths and injuries caused.”

Baker had earlier bemoaned not being able to keep Abedi locked up until his death, something forbidden by UK law because the killer was under 21 at the time. But he said it is possible Abedi “may never be released,” Sky News reported. Abedi was not in court for the sentencing.

“The stark reality is that these were atrocious crimes, large in their scale, deadly in their intent, and appalling in their consequences,” Baker said. “The despair and desolation of the bereaved families has been palpable.”

Ariana Grande

Kevin Mazur/One Love Manchester/Getty Images

Emergency response vehicles are parked at the scene of a terrorist attack during an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.

Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images

Emergency response vehicles are parked at the scene of a terrorist attack during an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.

Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images

Salman Abedi

Greater Manchester Police

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Although Abedi was overseas in Libya during the attack, he was convicted in March of helping his brother plot and prepare his slaughter at the Manchester Arena, where seven of the dead were children as young as 8.

Another 237 concertgoers were injured and 670 survivors reported suffering from psychological trauma. “No Tears Left To Cry” star Grande has also said she suffers PTSD.

Abedi helped source, buy, stockpile and transport the components for his brother’s bomb, using a number of phones, vehicles and addresses in preparation for the attack, the trial heard.

With Post wires