The younger brother of the Manchester suicide bomber went on trial at the Old Bailey today accused of murdering 22 people who were killed by his sibling.

Hashem Abedi was arrested in Libya shortly after his brother Salman, 22, blew himself up as thousands of people left an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22 2017.

Hashem, now 22, is accused of murdering 22 people, including an eight-year-old girl and nine teenagers, and one count of attempted murder encompassing the 260 other victims injured in the terror attack carried out by his older brother.

Duncan Penny, QC, is due to open the case for the prosecution later this week.

Hashem Abedi (left) is on trial for murder and was arrested in Libya shortly after his brother Salman, 22, (right) blew himself up as thousands of people left an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22 2017, killing 22 people

Bespectacled Abedi appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey flanked by three security guards for the start of his trial.

The defendant, wearing a dark blue shirt over a white t-shirt and dark blue jeans, spoke only to confirm his identity.

Asked to confirm if his name was Hashem Abedi he simply replied: 'Yes'.

Represented by Stephen Kamlish, QC, he has denied any involvement in the attack.

The case, which is due to last eight weeks, was adjourned until Wednesday by Mr Justice Jeremy Baker.

A jury panel has yet to be selected and sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to be opened by prosecutor Duncan Penny QC later in the week.

These are the 22 victims of the terror attack during the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in May 2017. (top row left to right) Off-duty police officer Elaine McIver, 43, Saffie Roussos, 8, Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, Eilidh MacLeod, 14, (second row left to right) Nell Jones, 14, Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, Megan Hurley, 15, Georgina Callander, 18, (third row left to right), Chloe Rutherford,17, Liam Curry, 19, Courtney Boyle, 19, and Philip Tron, 32, (fourth row left to right) John Atkinson, 26, Martyn Hett, 29, Kelly Brewster, 32, Angelika Klis, 39, (fifth row left to right) Marcin Klis, 42, Michelle Kiss, 45, Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 43 (fifth row left to right) Wendy Fawell, 50 and Jane Tweddle, 51.

Loved ones of the victims will be able to hear the evidence in Court Two of London's Central Criminal Court, or by special video links.

Saffie Rose Roussos, eight, was the youngest victim to die in the attack.

The others were: Martyn Hett, 29, Georgina Callander, 18, Olivia Campbell, 15; Off-duty police officer Elaine McIver, 43, John Atkinson, 26, Kelly Brewster, 32, Alison Lowe, 44, and friend Lisa Lees, 43.

Marcin Kils, 42, and Angelika Kils, 39, Nell Jones, 14, Jane Tweedle-Taylor, 50, Michelle Kiss, 45, Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, Eilidh MacLeod, 14, Wendy Fawell, 50, Courtney Boyle, 19, and her step-father Philip Tron, 32, and Megan Hurley, 15, was the final victim to be named.

Abedi, formerly of Tripoli, Libya, denies 22 charges of murder, one of attempted murder in relation to those injured and one of conspiracy to cause explosions.