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3 Men Arrested in Investigation of Manchester Bombing 3 Men Arrested in Investigation of Manchester Bombing
(35 minutes later)
MANCHESTER, England — The police arrested three men here on Wednesday as part of their investigation into the deadly bombing at Manchester Arena, as the authorities tried to determine whether the attacker had accomplices. MANCHESTER, England — The police arrested three men in Manchester on Wednesday as part of an investigation into a deadly bombing at the city’s main arena, as the authorities tried to determine whether the assailant had accomplices.
The arrests came as Britain mobilized its armed forces to guard vital locations, after the government decided Tuesday evening to move to the highest level of alert — “critical,” meaning that a further attack “may be imminent.”The arrests came as Britain mobilized its armed forces to guard vital locations, after the government decided Tuesday evening to move to the highest level of alert — “critical,” meaning that a further attack “may be imminent.”
Tours of Parliament were called off until further notice, and the guard-changing ceremony at Buckingham Palace, long a favorite of tourists, was canceled. The military said it would deploy soldiers to support policing at Downing Street, the home and office of the prime minister, at the palace, at Parliament and at embassies, among other sites. Tours of Parliament were called off until further notice, and the guard-changing ceremony at Buckingham Palace, long a favorite of tourists, was canceled. The military said it would deploy soldiers to support policing at Downing Street, the home and office of the prime minister; at the palace; at Parliament; and at embassies, among other sites.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said on Wednesday that security officials were alarmed by the nature of the bombing, Britain’s worst terrorist attack since 2005.Home Secretary Amber Rudd said on Wednesday that security officials were alarmed by the nature of the bombing, Britain’s worst terrorist attack since 2005.
“It was more sophisticated than some of the attacks we’ve seen before, and it seems likely — possible — that he wasn’t doing this on his own,” she said.“It was more sophisticated than some of the attacks we’ve seen before, and it seems likely — possible — that he wasn’t doing this on his own,” she said.
Ms. Rudd said that the bomber, identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi, had been known to the British intelligence services and to the police “up to a point,” but did not elaborate. Ms. Rudd said that the bomber, identified as Salman Abedi, 22, had been known to the British intelligence services and to the police “up to a point,” but she did not elaborate.
Mr. Abedi, who died in the attack, grew up in Manchester and lived just less than four miles from the arena, where, officials say, he set off a crude, improvised bomb on Monday night, as fans were leaving a pop concert by the American singer Ariana Grande. The explosion killed 22 people and wounded 59 people seriously enough that they were hospitalized. Still others suffered minor wounds. Mr. Abedi, who died in the attack, grew up in Manchester and lived less than four miles from the arena, where, officials say, he set off a crude improvised bomb Monday night, as fans were leaving a pop concert by the American singer Ariana Grande. The explosion killed 22 people and wounded 59 others seriously enough that they were hospitalized. Still others had minor wounds.
France’s interior minister, Gérard Collomb, told BFMTV on Wednesday morning that the French and British intelligence agencies had information that Mr. Abedi had probably been to Syria and that he had “proven” ties to the Islamic State. France’s interior minister, Gérard Collomb, told BFMTV on Wednesday morning that French and British intelligence agencies had information that Mr. Abedi had probably been to Syria and that he had “proven” ties to the Islamic State.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack but did not describe Mr. Abedi’s links to the network. In several past terrorist assaults, extremists traveled to Syria from Europe for indoctrination and training.The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack but did not describe Mr. Abedi’s links to the network. In several past terrorist assaults, extremists traveled to Syria from Europe for indoctrination and training.
“Today, we know only what British investigators have told us,” Mr. Collomb said. “A British citizen of Libyan descent, but who grew up in Great Britain, and suddenly, after a trip to Libya and then probably to Syria, is radicalized and decides to carry out this attack.”“Today, we know only what British investigators have told us,” Mr. Collomb said. “A British citizen of Libyan descent, but who grew up in Great Britain, and suddenly, after a trip to Libya and then probably to Syria, is radicalized and decides to carry out this attack.”
Mr. Collomb did not provide further details or specify whether Mr. Abedi was part of a larger network of extremists.Mr. Collomb did not provide further details or specify whether Mr. Abedi was part of a larger network of extremists.
The Manchester police offered no details about the three men arrested, beyond saying that they had “executed warrants in South Manchester in connection with the ongoing investigation into Monday night’s horrific attack at the Manchester Arena.” The Manchester police offered no details about the three men arrested, saying only they had “executed warrants in South Manchester in connection with the ongoing investigation into Monday night’s horrific attack at the Manchester Arena.”
Born in 1994, Mr. Abedi was one of four children of Libyan immigrants to Britain. He lived with his family in the Fallowfield section of Manchester, about 3.5 miles south of the arena. He was a student at Salford University. His ID was found at the scene of the bombing. Born in 1994, Mr. Abedi was one of four children of Libyan immigrants. He lived with his family in the Fallowfield section of Manchester, about 3.5 miles south of the arena. He was a student at Salford University. His ID was found at the scene of the bombing.
At the Manchester Islamic Center, also known as the Didsbury Mosque, Fawzi Haffar, a trustee, said that Mr. Abedi’s father had worshiped there, but was not certain if other family members had. At the Manchester Islamic Center, also known as the Didsbury Mosque, Fawzi Haffar, a trustee, said that Mr. Abedi’s father had worshiped there, but he said he was not certain if other family members had.
The father, Abu Ismael Abedi, is believed to have returned to Libya, Mr. Haffar said. Salman’s brother Ismael had recently done voluntary work at the mosque, which also hosts a school, Mr. Haffar added.The father, Abu Ismael Abedi, is believed to have returned to Libya, Mr. Haffar said. Salman’s brother Ismael had recently done voluntary work at the mosque, which also hosts a school, Mr. Haffar added.
In the Fallowfield district, forensics experts examined a house on Elsmore Road that neighbors identified as the Abedi family home. The house was raided on Tuesday after the authorities set off a controlled explosion to gain entry. About 20 heavily armed police officers, some dressed in combat fatigues, approached the property, applying a strip of explosive material parallel to the front door frame, then blasting their way in, according to cellphone images captured by a neighbor, Alan Kinsey, who showed them to reporters. In the Fallowfield neighborhood, forensics experts examined a house on Elsmore Road that neighbors identified as the Abedi family home. It was raided on Tuesday after the authorities set off a controlled explosion to gain entry. About 20 heavily armed police officers, some dressed in combat fatigues, approached the property, applying a strip of explosive material parallel to the front door frame, then blasting their way in, according to cellphone images captured by a neighbor, Alan Kinsey, who showed them to reporters.
Mr. Kinsey, who lives opposite the house raided by the police, said that he waited and watched at the window, but no one else emerged, so he concluded that the property was unoccupied at the time of the raid itself. “It was empty, they didn’t bring anybody out,” he said.Mr. Kinsey, who lives opposite the house raided by the police, said that he waited and watched at the window, but no one else emerged, so he concluded that the property was unoccupied at the time of the raid itself. “It was empty, they didn’t bring anybody out,” he said.
Mr. Kinsey said that there had been only occupant of the property in the last few months: a man in his 20s who was tall, slim, and often wore white clothing. Mr. Kinsey said he had only one brief interaction with the man over a parking issue.Mr. Kinsey said that there had been only occupant of the property in the last few months: a man in his 20s who was tall, slim, and often wore white clothing. Mr. Kinsey said he had only one brief interaction with the man over a parking issue.
The British police identified Mr. Abedi on Tuesday after several United States news organizations, including CBS News and USA Today, citing American intelligence sources, had already done so.The British police identified Mr. Abedi on Tuesday after several United States news organizations, including CBS News and USA Today, citing American intelligence sources, had already done so.
Ms. Rudd on Wednesday made clear the government’s dismay at the leaks.Ms. Rudd on Wednesday made clear the government’s dismay at the leaks.
“British police have been very clear that they want to control the flow of information in order to protect operational integrity, the element of surprise, so it is irritating if it gets released from other sources and I have been very clear with our friends that that should not happen again,” she told BBC Radio 4.“British police have been very clear that they want to control the flow of information in order to protect operational integrity, the element of surprise, so it is irritating if it gets released from other sources and I have been very clear with our friends that that should not happen again,” she told BBC Radio 4.
Asked whether the American leaks had compromised the investigation, she replied “I wouldn’t go that far, but I can say that they are perfectly clear about the situation and that it shouldn’t happen again.”Asked whether the American leaks had compromised the investigation, she replied “I wouldn’t go that far, but I can say that they are perfectly clear about the situation and that it shouldn’t happen again.”