Authorities raided more homes as the investigation into the deadly bombing at a concert in Manchester continues. CNN’s Atika Shubert reports.
British security services are now facing claims that they were warned by Salman Abedi’s family and friends that he was dangerous.
Two people who knew Salman Abedi are said to have called the police counter-terrorism hotline five years ago to report that he thought ‘being a suicide bomber was OK’.
The calls, revealed by a community worker to BBC News, emerged after US intelligence sources suggested Abedi’s relatives had also tried to alert authorities that Salman Abedi was a potential threat.
A community worker told the BBC two people who knew Abedi at college had called the counter-terror hotline raising concerns.
Abedi was apparently identified by a bank card found in his pocket at the scene of the explosion, with his name then confirmed by facial recognition technology.
Leaks from US intelligence infuriate British investigators and ministers, who have been trying to keep details of the investigation under wraps.
Abedi, a Mancunian of Libyan descent, was thought to have been traveled in Syria and had ‘proven’ links to ISIS. A US source said he had ‘clear ties to al Qaeda’ and could have had connections to other groups.
About 850 British residents may have gone abroad to fight for ISIS in territories in Syria and Iraq. With recent defeats of ISIS, about 100 British residents have been killed, but the remaining extremists with British passports are believed to be returning to the United Kingdom. There is concern that they may be responsible for a new wave of attacks in the United Kingdom when they return with battle experience and training in the use of explosives and firearms.
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British authorities say Salman Abedi detonated a bomb at Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert that killed at least 22 people. Here’s what we know about the suicide bomber.