Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi is to be freed from a British jail on compassionate grounds, media reports say.
Megrahi, who has prostate cancer, is serving life with a minimum term of 27 years over the downing of Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish village of Lockerbie, which killed 270 people in 1988.
The former Libyan agent is expected to be returned to his homeland following an announcement by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill next week, the BBC and Sky News television said on Wednesday, without quoting sources.
But a spokesman for Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond played down the reports, saying: “No decision has been taken, either on the application for compassionate release or the application under the prisoner transfer agreement and so it is entirely speculation.”
The Scottish government said last month that it had received an application for his release on compassionate grounds.
In May, Libya applied for him to be transferred to his homeland under a prisoner transfer treaty between Libya and Britain.
Megrahi also launched a second appeal against his conviction earlier this year.
The 57-year-old, who lost an earlier appeal in 2002, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.
His lawyer says it has spread to other parts of his body and is at an advanced stage, while his wife Aisha Megrahi told AFP earlier this year that he was “in danger of dying”.
Megrahi was sentenced in 2001 by three Scottish judges sitting at an extraordinary tribunal in The Netherlands for blowing up Pan Am flight 103 on the night of December 21, 1988, shortly after it left London for New York.
He was ordered to serve a minimum of 27 years over the bombing, Britain’s worst ever terror attack.
The blast killed all 259 on board, and 11 people on the ground died due to falling debris. Many of those on the flight were Americans travelling home for the Christmas holidays.
Megrahi was visited in Greenock prison, western Scotland, by MacAskill last week for about an hour, although there was no official comment afterwards.
MacAskill has insisted that political and economic factors will not influence his decision and has spoken to US Attorney General Eric Holder plus US and British families of the Lockerbie bomb victims.
The BBC reported that the move was influenced by consensus on all sides that Megrahi should be back in Libya in time for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month next week.
The reports were welcomed by some relatives of British victims, who believe that Megrahi was wrongly convicted.
Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora died on board the plane, said it had been “inhumane” to keep Megrahi in prison and would be “to Scotland’s credit” if he was returned home.
Swire added on Sky News television: “There are very worrying rumours circulating in Scotland that he may have been persuaded to accept the concept of compassionate release in return for withdrawing his appeal.
“That would be a blow … to those who like me are seeking the truth because we would love to see the Scottish authorities get to grips with the old and new evidence in the current appeal and see whether the verdict can still be deemed safe. I don’t believe that it would be.”
By: old shape - 22nd October 2009 at 00:33
Early reports tonight suggest Megrahi has died…
I find this rather uncomfortable.
A British politician was seen to make a correct decision. I’m on strange and uncharted ground!
By: Ren Frew - 22nd October 2009 at 00:19
Early reports tonight suggest Megrahi has died…
By: kevinwm - 31st August 2009 at 22:15
You dont get it , Scotland did what the law of the land said , American said we are the bad ones for doing what our law allows , so why is it bad , its only bad when its unaceptable to them,
Taking the High moral Ground with other countries when they dont have any morals of their own, that may seem ok to you , but that certainly isnt to me
There is a saying “Practice what you Preach” and I only pointed out the hypocrisy of American
I did point that out in a previouse message about The UK goverment signing a agreement with Libya about Prisoner transfer Knowing fine well that there was only one libyian Priosner held in the UK, which the Scottish Justice system had no say in, this argreement signed by those in Westminster also tied the Scottish Justice systems hand
A fact that America seems to have fogoten about or they havent made fact to thier own people
If the Times is correct then those in power in the uK are then in a position that is untenable and should do the decent thing , but knowing them they will hang on until very bitter end
One final note , It was The Americans who came on here slating my Country First and I and the others have defended it
By: old shape - 31st August 2009 at 21:33
Again, you’re turning the subject of the thread from
“Did Scotland do the right thing”, into…
“It doesn’t matter because America is so bad”.
They are different topics.
No, if the Times is correct, there is a bit of corruption deep with in the UK government. And many of you don’t seem to care…because you’re easily distracted by the always inviting prospect of America bashing….A couple of years ago on this very forum, there was a topic generating a lot of negative comments towards the USSR/Russia, the evils of communism or something.
One of the regular anti-American posters…who doesn’t seem to post here anymore…made a comment about America…and the topic shifted from it’s original subject into a anti-US frenzy. Posters took off on the new scent like a pack of foxhounds.
Some things don’t change…:rolleyes:
A rather massive understatement. The whole of UK politics is corrupt, from top to bottom and from left to right. If I ever meet an honest politician I shall shoot him for his own sake, before he turns bad.
I only bash USA for sport, I made a joke about the American Intelligence oxymoron. Like ours, shooting a Brazillian, and many others.
People are bashing USA because it’s presently your turn to have an Empire, and the “Leaders” are always bashed. The US empire is somewhat clandestine, most tin-pot countries have aligned with the US Dollar, US commands the trade of the world (GATT is run by the US, despite its not being supposed to). The infiltration starts with McShyte, Coca-Cola and Music. Usually, it’s the country Pulling those products, not USA pushing them.
By: J Boyle - 31st August 2009 at 14:49
Again, you’re turning the subject of the thread from
“Did Scotland do the right thing”, into…
“It doesn’t matter because America is so bad”.
They are different topics.
No, if the Times is correct, there is a bit of corruption deep with in the UK government. And many of you don’t seem to care…because you’re easily distracted by the always inviting prospect of America bashing….
A couple of years ago on this very forum, there was a topic generating a lot of negative comments towards the USSR/Russia, the evils of communism or something.
One of the regular anti-American posters…who doesn’t seem to post here anymore…made a comment about America…and the topic shifted from it’s original subject into a anti-US frenzy. Posters took off on the new scent like a pack of foxhounds.
Some things don’t change…:rolleyes:
By: kevinwm - 30th August 2009 at 19:29
Indeed Mr Boyle, but who’s painting this up as “big bad America” ? I was under the impression in recent days that most of the angry voices regarding this matter have American accents and are talking largely at ‘wee bad Scotland’ ! 😉
I cant agree with you more Allen,
The Only thing that we havent been Called by the USA is Terroist and added to the Axis of Evil list , but im sure there are those in the USA wanting that done
America is suposed to stand for what is good and free in the world ,yet its only good and free when America see fit
We release on compassionate grounds and we are bad , yet America can Invade Countries , kidnap and hold people without trial, kill hundred of thousands of inoccent people for oil and thats OK just because its America ?
I would Suggest those who think America is ok for doing that should take a look at a dictionary and look up the word BAD,
By: Ren Frew - 30th August 2009 at 18:19
If The Sunday Times article is correct that the release has to do with oil exploration…why are you loyal subjects of the crown still trying to paint this topic as “big bad America”?
(Aside from : A. It’s easy; and B. It’s fun to knock the big guy around…to prove your independence and make yourselves feel better about the diminished Empire. But I digress…😀
Indeed Mr Boyle, but who’s painting this up as “big bad America” ? I was under the impression in recent days that most of the angry voices regarding this matter have American accents and are talking largely at ‘wee bad Scotland’ ! 😉
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th August 2009 at 16:57
If The Sunday Times article is correct that the release has to do with oil exploration…why are you loyal subjects of the crown still trying to paint this topic as “big bad America”?
(Aside from : A. It’s easy; and B. It’s fun to knock the big guy around…to prove your independence and make yourselves feel better about the diminished Empire. But I digress…😀If a convicted murderer was released NOT because of new evidence, or an acknowledged error in the court proceedings, but becasue there is money to be made, your anger is misdirected at the U.S. and should be addressed to the occupant of 10 Downing Street and the perpetual ruling party.
Well spoken, Mr Boyle.
With the revelations today it would seem that some kind of release/exchange was after all promoted by Blair/Straw because it would be good for British (and that includes Scotland, by the way) business. In the end, Megrahi gets released on grounds dressed up as “compassionate” by the Scottish Government. So….we the gullible British public are expected to believe, are we, that no conversation ever went on between ministers in Westmister and those in Scotland leaning on the Scots to release him on grounds of compassion? Clearly, such a release would be hugely convenient for all who wanted him set free so as to oil the wheels of some grubby blood-stained deals with that repulsive Gadafi who Blair started to cosy up to a while back.
As to Megrahi, he was convicted of the crime and that conviction still stands. He still stands as a guilty convicted and barbaric mass murderer, with no compassion or remorse, no matter what. Certainly there are others (including the odious Gadafi) who are as guilty as hell but who will never be brought to justice – merely rewarded for doing business with the West and who now poses with Blair, and latterly Brown, as they shake their mutually blood stained hands.
It is exceedingly unfortunate that Gadafi and his murderous cohorts were not blown to bits and into the mercy of Allah in that post-Lockerbie strike.
By: J Boyle - 30th August 2009 at 15:44
If The Sunday Times article is correct that the release has to do with oil exploration…why are you loyal subjects of the crown still trying to paint this topic as “big bad America”?
(Aside from : A. It’s easy; and B. It’s fun to knock the big guy around…to prove your independence and make yourselves feel better about the diminished Empire. But I digress…😀
If a convicted murderer was released NOT because of new evidence, or an acknowledged error in the court proceedings, but becasue there is money to be made, your anger is misdirected at the U.S. and should be addressed to the occupant of 10 Downing Street and the perpetual ruling party.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th August 2009 at 13:36
Yes. Read my previous posts for your answer. The majority? Possibly. But not all.
By: Jonesy - 27th August 2009 at 23:56
…….but not all of those families share that opinion. Lets be clear about that!
That was the viewpoint of the appointed spokesperson representing the group though. You would assume that such an opinion would have to be view of the majority before it could be presented in the national media?.
Certainly I’ve noted no commentry anywhere that there is a division amongst the UK victims families on this point?.
Do you have information to the contrary Tangmere?.
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th August 2009 at 23:20
Jonesy said……
“….and thats the problem. He may have had some involvement, but, the UK families of the victims of the bombing are of the opinion that he was not the person directly responsible for ordering or committing the act.“
…….but not all of those families share that opinion. Lets be clear about that!
By: Ren Frew - 27th August 2009 at 22:50
I was going to post on this Ren but having read yours I’ve nothing to add. Very well put sir.
Thanks Mr Flug62M !;)
By: MSR777 - 27th August 2009 at 22:01
I suppose you have to ask yourself why UK and US ‘foreign policy’ is so despised by some of the nations you have listed ? It’s not a war against terror it’s a war against people we’ve turned over at various points throughout history. The empires strike back… (apparently) :rolleyes:
I was going to post on this Ren but having read yours I’ve nothing to add. Very well put sir.
By: Ren Frew - 27th August 2009 at 00:42
Sad that this thread has gone this way. The UK has had to put up with terrorists for many many years: The IRA and others of their ilk. We have not been lenient to them, until recently. I spent a wonderful 3 months in Seattle in 1999 and the only sad thing I saw there was a huge Noraid rally to support/give money to the IRA…..my cousin (Major Andrew French) was murdered by the IRA so I am not happy to appease any terrorists. In UK we have had to watch as the peace process has released many murderers.
I am not happy about the Lockerbie bomber being released, he was the only person that could be brought to justice and now he has been released.
That said, why must there be endless mud slinging both ways across the pond? Why do generalisations get thrown about? I do not like being lectured to about terrorism as if it is a new thing and we have no experience…..that is insulting to the many killed in Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and numerous other skirmishes where the UK have committed peacekeepers. The Lockerbie bombing added more UK victims as did 9/11.
I cannot agree with, or condone the release of the Lockerbie bomber, it was a heinous crime that brought mass terrorist murder to the shores of this lovely set of islands….we have lived with the shadow of terrorism for too long. Our troops have done their bit and keep doing so in the war against terror.
I suppose you have to ask yourself why UK and US ‘foreign policy’ is so despised by some of the nations you have listed ? It’s not a war against terror it’s a war against people we’ve turned over at various points throughout history. The empires strike back… (apparently) :rolleyes:
By: Jonesy - 26th August 2009 at 23:36
I suppose it was the only justice they had? So are we now saying he had nothing to do with the bombing? So it was an injustice? I do not know the ins and outs of the case, but would like to think that he had something to do with it if he was found guilty.
….and thats the problem. He may have had some involvement, but, the UK families of the victims of the bombing are of the opinion that he was not the person directly responsible for ordering or committing the act. Their view is he was so disconnected from the real perpetrators of the attack as to make his jailing an irrelevence. They certainly feel no justice from his incarceration.
As stated the unfortunate thing is that, since Megrahi was offered up as a sacrificial stooge, the real people who needed to be brought to book have escaped punishment. That is injustice in my book….not the release of a man to the joys presented by the reality of a few remaining months filled with pain and offering only death at the end of it.
By: Drem - 26th August 2009 at 23:14
A few personal words of my own, feel free to shoot me down in flames if you wish.
We will never know who really planted the bomb, shall we………….Megrahi somewhere along the line seems to have been involved so we do have a connection and a reason to jail somebody.
I simply cannot believe that he was released in the first place, he should have served out his sentence in prison here in Scotland.
I find it odd that Gordon Brown should have nothing to say on the matter, why should he stay silent. Dont be at all surprised if in the next year or 2 Britain strikes some sort of deal with Lybia regards oil supplys.
To the people of America who believe that EVERYBODY in Scotland wanted this man released, HELLLLLO…………………….you could not be more wrong.
Not being all that interested in what is happening World wide, but is there not a case coming up soon of America trying to extradite a Briton (or is he Scottish), regards being found guilty of hacking into computers over there?
If this goes ahead and the trial goes to America, what chance does this person stand being tried in America.
Hope not to offend anybody, please take these comments as read from a very tired old man.
Drem.
By: Rocketeer - 26th August 2009 at 23:12
Rocketeer,
You say: “I am not happy about the Lockerbie bomber being released, he was the only person that could be brought to justice and now he has been released”
What does it mean then if this Libyan wasn’t involved in a significant way in the attrocity….is that still justice for those who died in the bombing or is it a pitiful attempt to seek vengeance on someone, anyone, who could be made to pay a price?.
I suppose it was the only justice they had? So are we now saying he had nothing to do with the bombing? So it was an injustice? I do not know the ins and outs of the case, but would like to think that he had something to do with it if he was found guilty. Dealing with countries that are known to deal in terrorism leaves a bad taste in ones mouth.
It is a sorry state of affairs….the only true justice would be to put everyone who had anything to do with it on trial – that is never likely to happen is it.
The slaying of Yvonne Fletcher was a very sad affair too.
By: Jonesy - 26th August 2009 at 23:05
Rocketeer,
You say: “I am not happy about the Lockerbie bomber being released, he was the only person that could be brought to justice and now he has been released”
What does it mean then if this Libyan wasn’t involved in a significant way in the attrocity….is that still justice for those who died in the bombing or is it a pitiful attempt to seek vengeance on someone, anyone, who could be made to pay a price?.
By: Rocketeer - 26th August 2009 at 22:56
Sad that this thread has gone this way. The UK has had to put up with terrorists for many many years: The IRA and others of their ilk. We have not been lenient to them, until recently. I spent a wonderful 3 months in Seattle in 1999 and the only sad thing I saw there was a huge Noraid rally to support/give money to the IRA…..my cousin (Major Andrew French) was murdered by the IRA so I am not happy to appease any terrorists. In UK we have had to watch as the peace process has released many murderers.
I am not happy about the Lockerbie bomber being released, he was the only person that could be brought to justice and now he has been released.
That said, why must there be endless mud slinging both ways across the pond? Why do generalisations get thrown about? I do not like being lectured to about terrorism as if it is a new thing and we have no experience…..that is insulting to the many killed in Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and numerous other skirmishes where the UK have committed peacekeepers. The Lockerbie bombing added more UK victims as did 9/11.
I cannot agree with, or condone the release of the Lockerbie bomber, it was a heinous crime that brought mass terrorist murder to the shores of this lovely set of islands….we have lived with the shadow of terrorism for too long. Our troops have done their bit and keep doing so in the war against terror.
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August 13, 2009 at 12:45 am