The older brother of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber was found guilty of neglecting to appear at a public inquiry.
Ismail Abedi, age 29, declined to answer questions from the investigation for fear of self-incrimination.
Sir John Saunders, the chairman, had rejected his viewpoint and ordered that he testify.
Abedi fled the United Kingdom last year and has not returned. Now, he goes by the name Ben Romdhan.
On May 22, 2017, Salman Abedi detonated a bomb after an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 and injuring hundreds.
Hashem Abedi, the younger brother, has been imprisoned for two years after being convicted of murdering all the victims.
District Judge Jack McGarva convicted Ismail Abedi at Manchester Magistrates’ Court of failing to comply with a lawful notice to attend the Manchester Arena investigation as a witness.
He stated, “I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that he has no valid cause for his absence” and “he is guilty of the charged offense.”
Mr. McGarva stated that he was unable to issue an arrest warrant on Thursday and rescheduled the hearing for August 2.
The judge stated that if Ismail Abedi fails to appear in court in August, an arrest warrant may be issued and he will be “listed as wanted” by international law enforcement agencies.
“I believe we are aware of what is likely to occur,” he stated.
The prosecutor, Nicholas de lar Poer QC, stated earlier that “his absence was purposeful.”
He stated, “From the beginning, the defendant refused to cooperate with the investigation.” He has evaded and obscured the truth.
“He has created every hurdle he could imagine. When they were unsuccessful, he escaped the jurisdiction.”
Mr. de la Poer continued, “Ultimately, it boils down to this. He was legally obligated to attend, he did not attend, and there is no justification for his absence.”
Ismail Abedi was requested to make a witness statement in May 2020, and 39 subject topics were identified.
In July of that year, he responded in writing that he would not offer a witness statement “because of my fear of self-incrimination.”
He said, “I do not wish to answer the questions” after being informed that non-compliance constituted a criminal offense.
He stated that he wants to assert his right against self-incrimination.
The investigation revealed that such privilege could only be used on a question-by-question basis, never as a blanket claim.
Before agreeing to testify, Ismail Abedi requested immunity from prosecution from the Attorney General, but the investigation chairman denied his request.
The court then issued a formal notice ordering the defendant to attend the inquiry on October 21, 2021.
