MANCHESTER bomb plotter Hashem Abedi has pleaded not guilty to carrying out “terrorist” attacks on prison officers with cooking oil.
The 28-year-old is accused of using the hot oil and makeshift weapons while at HMP Frankland, Co Durham.
Abedi allegedly shouted out “Allahu akbar” twice during the attacks in April.
He appeared at the Old Bailey today where he denied the attempted murders of prison officers Paul Crampton, Gary Speight, and Catherine Herbert.
Abedi also pleaded not guilty to assaulting a fourth prison officer, Craig Thompson, occasioning him actual bodily harm.
He further denied possession of a bladed or sharply pointed article, namely a knife, inside HMP Frankland.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said the case had a terrorist connection.
She added: “During the course of a session where he was permitted to use cooking equipment he attacked and attempted to murder three prison officers using hot oil and makeshift weapons he had constructed himself.
“He also assaulted a fourth prison officer.”
Ms Ledward said there was no indication the defendant had any previous hostility or grievance towards the victims.
The prosecutor alleged Abedi held an extremist mindset – “not least his conviction in 2020 in connection with the Manchester Arena bombing”.
A trial set to last for up to three weeks has been set for January 18, 2027.
Abedi, who appeared via video-link from HMP Belmarsh, represented himself during today’s hearing.
When asked if he wanted a lawyer, he replied: “I don’t want to attend anyway, that’s what it is.”
He was remanded into custody ahead of a hearing on January 30 next year.
Abedi was convicted of plotting the Manchester terror attack in May 2017.
His brother Salman Abedi killed 22 people including children by detonating a homemade rucksack bomb at an Ariana Grande concert.
Abedi was jailed for life with a record-breaking 55-year minimum term in August 2020.
