Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi launched a vicious attack on three prison officers at HMP Frankland using boiling oil and a homemade knife, leaving one officer with life-threatening injuries.
At a Glance
- Hashem Abedi, serving a 55-year sentence for the Manchester Arena bombing, attacked three prison officers with boiling oil and homemade weapons
- One officer suffered life-threatening injuries requiring air ambulance transport, while two others were also hospitalized
- The attack occurred in a specialized separation center at HMP Frankland designed to isolate extremist prisoners
- Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the “appalling” assault and vowed to pursue the “strongest possible punishment”
- Prison Officers’ Association calls for review of privileges for terrorist offenders, including removal of cooking facilities
Brutal Assault on Prison Staff
Counter-terrorism police have launched an investigation after Hashem Abedi, convicted for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that killed 22 people, attacked three prison officers at HMP Frankland in County Durham. The unprovoked assault involved Abedi throwing boiling cooking oil on the officers and attacking them with homemade weapons.
One female officer has been discharged from hospital, while two male officers remain hospitalized with stabilized conditions. The most severely injured officer required emergency airlift to hospital with what were described as life-threatening injuries.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood issued a strong statement following the attack: “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.”
Islamist scum Hashem Abedi ( brother of the Manchester bomber) must now be locked in solitary for the rest of his 55-year sentence after throwing boiling oil and then stabbing with 20cm knives three prison officers at HMP Frankland, Co Durham.
One brave officer is fighting for…— Kelvin MacKenzie (@kelvmackenzie) April 12, 2025
Prison Security Concerns
The attack has raised serious questions about security protocols at the high-security facility, particularly regarding the management of terrorist offenders. The incident occurred in a separation centre within the prison, a specialized unit introduced in 2017 to isolate prisoners with extreme views from the general population. Former Prison Governor John Podmore described the assault as a “catastrophic security failure,” highlighting ongoing challenges in containing high-risk individuals determined to cause harm.
“Separation centers 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,” said Mark Fairhurst.
Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of the Prison Officers’ Association, has called for an urgent review of privileges granted to terrorist offenders. He specifically questioned whether such dangerous prisoners should have access to cooking facilities and other items that could be weaponized. The Prison Service has emphasized that violence in prison facilities will not be tolerated and has pledged to seek the strongest possible punishment for such attacks.
Abedi’s History of Violence
This is not Abedi’s first violent incident behind bars. He was previously sentenced to additional time for attacking prison officers prior to this latest assault. Abedi is currently serving a minimum of 55 years for his role in the Manchester Arena bombing, where his brother Salman detonated a suicide bomb at an Ariana Grande concert. Though Abedi wasn’t physically present during the attack, the court found him to be “equally culpable” for helping source materials and planning the bombing.
“There are serious concerns about the prison leadership’s ability to contain the threat from Islamist extremist inmates. This deeply serious security failure must be a turning point,” said Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Abedi was extradited from Libya to the UK in 2019 to face trial for his role in the bombing. At the time of his sentencing, he was 21 years old, making him ineligible for a whole life sentence under UK law. His potential release after serving 55 years would be subject to parole board approval. The Counter Terrorism Policing North East unit is leading the investigation into this latest attack, with support from Durham Constabulary.
