Increase in the Number of Detainees Related to the Manchester Suicide Attack

In the course of extensive searches by British security forces following the suicide attack in Manchester, the number of detainees has now reached eight. At the same time, more details about the family of the attacker have been released, indicating that 'a network' was involved in this attack. Manchester police reported the arrest of another suspect in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and then another individual in Manchester early on June 4. Thus, the number of detainees related to the suicide attack on the night of June 1 has reached eight; seven men and one woman. Previously, British police stated that Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old suspected of carrying out the suicide attack, was not acting alone and was part of a network. The police of the 'National Accord' government of Libya, which holds power in Tripoli, announced on Thursday that they had arrested Salman Abedi's brother and father, named Hashim and Ramadan. A spokesperson for the Libyan National Accord police stated that the brother of the suicide bomber was aware of his plan and both were members of a group known as the Islamic State. The Islamic State group claimed the day after the Manchester explosion that the perpetrator was one of their 'soldiers.' However, British officials have yet to confirm or deny the statements made by the Tripoli police. AFP also quoted the French Interior Minister as saying that Abedi 'probably' traveled to Syria during a trip to Libya. Salman Abedi was born in Manchester to Libyan parents. In addition to his father and brother arrested in Libya, another brother has also been arrested in London. The suicide attack in Manchester resulted in the deaths of 22 people; many of the victims and injured were teenagers and children. The attacker, who concealed a homemade bomb in a suitcase, detonated it during a concert by pop singer Ariana Grande. Additionally, 64 people were injured in the explosion, with the condition of 20 of them reported as critical. Twelve of the injured are under 16 years old, and one of the deceased was an eight-year-old girl. The Manchester explosion is the worst attack of its kind since the 2005 London bombings carried out by four Islamist suicide bombers, which left 52 dead.