Childhood friend of Manchester Arena bomber released from prison after terrorism sentence

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A convicted terrorist facilitator who was a childhood friend of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi has been released from jail, according to reports today.

Abdalraouf Abdallah, from Moss Side, received an extended determinate sentence of nine years and six months in July 2016 after being convicted of engaging in conduct for the preparation of a terrorist act.

The sentence was comprised of a five-year, six-month custodial element and four years' extended licence. Abdallah was 23 at the time.

The Parole Board said that in July, 2014, he took steps to assist four men in their travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group, including making attempts to liaise with a known source of firearms, acting as a facilitator, offering advice and guidance and transferring money. READ MORE: LIVE Police surround terraced row of houses after woman found dead - latest updates Now 31, he wasn't released at his parole eligibility date in January, 2019, but was freed in November, 2020.