In a ruling that has sparked controversy, one of the men responsible for the devastating 2017 Manchester Arena attack has successfully had his prison sentence reduced.
Hashem Abedi, the brother of suicide bomber Salman Abedi, was convicted for his role in plotting the atrocity that claimed 22 lives and injured hundreds more. His original 55-year minimum term has now been cut by the Court of Appeal.
The Appeal Judges' Decision
Senior judges presiding over the case concluded that the initial sentence was 'too high' and therefore 'not justified'. They ruled that a reduction was necessary, stating that the original term did not adequately consider Hashem Abedi's young age at the time of the offence and the fact that he was not the direct perpetrator.
This legal argument centred on the principle of sentencing guidelines for secondary offenders in terrorism cases, even those involved in mass murder plots.
A Nation's Grief Revisited
The decision has inevitably reopened wounds for the families of the victims, many of whom were children and young people attending an Ariana Grande concert. The bombing on May 22, 2017, remains one of the UK's deadliest terrorist incidents.
Relatives of those killed have previously expressed outrage at the possibility of Abedi's sentence being reduced, arguing that any involvement in such a heinous act warrants the fullest possible punishment under the law.
What Happens Next?
Despite the sentence reduction, Hashem Abedi remains a convicted terrorist serving a life sentence with a still-substantial minimum term. He will not be eligible for release by the Parole Board until he has served the newly dictated number of years in prison.
The judiciary's decision underscores the complex and often emotionally charged balance between delivering justice for victims and adhering to legal sentencing principles.
