Hashem Abedi, convicted for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, launched an attack on three prison guards using hot cooking oil and makeshift weapons, according to the Prison Officers’ Association (POA).
The attack unfolded on Saturday when Abedi reportedly threw scalding oil over the officers before assaulting them with "home-made weapons."
The POA, representing prison staff, confirmed the incident and described it as a serious assault. Counter Terrorism Policing North East (CTP NE) has taken the lead in investigating the attack.
The officers sustained life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds in the “unprovoked” and “vicious” attack, POA added.
The Prison Service confirmed three prison officers were treated in hospital after an attack by an inmate at HMP Frankland, County Durham.
POA REACT TO TERRORIST ATTACK
— POA (@POAUnion) April 12, 2025
Leaders of the POA have reacted angrily to a vicious attack on three Prison Officers working in a separation centre at HMP Frankland in County Durham.https://t.co/63WZY86Nhb pic.twitter.com/RmfrdQe0aJ
One female officer was discharged by 4pm on Saturday.
CTP said on Saturday evening that the two still in hospital have serious injuries.
Abedi was convicted of assisting with the Manchester terror plot, in which his suicide bomber brother Salman Abedi killed 22 people by detonating a homemade rucksack-bomb in a crowd of concert-goers.
CTP’s acting senior national co-ordinator, Commander Dom Murphy, said: “Given the nature of the incident, it has been agreed that CTP North East will lead the investigation, supported by Durham Constabulary.
“This is an ongoing investigation which is in its early stages, and we are working hard to establish the facts. Therefore, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “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.”
Abedi was jailed for life in August 2020 and is currently serving at the category A HMP Frankland.
Category A is the highest level of security, housing some of the country’s most serious criminals.
Frankland also has a separation centre.
These centres, introduced in 2017, aim to control prisoners with extreme views, for example by preventing them from disrupting the prison estate, supporting acts of terrorism or radicalising other inmates.
POA’s national chairman, Mark Fairhurst, told Sky News: “This attack was actually in a separation centre, at Frankland, which houses the most dangerous criminals that society throws at us.
“And part of the normal regime is to allow prisoners in that separation centre to cook their own meals.
“So this individual has been heating up cooking oil, has subdued the staff by throwing it over them, and then has proceeded to stab and slash them with a improvised weapon.”
In a statement published earlier that day, Mr Fairhurst said: “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.
I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families.
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) April 12, 2025
The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated.
“We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners 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.”
A 2022 inspection found nine men in total were housed in separation centres, then operating in Frankland and HMP Woodhill, Buckinghamshire.
It said the Frankland unit is on a narrow corridor with a small “room for association” and an area for prisoners to cook and prepare food.
There are no facilities on the wing and staff could arrange for prisoners to visit the main prison gym or to be taken off the unit for education, the report said.
A Prison Service spokesperson 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 hardworking staff.”
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