By Nykoel Dinardo
Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
GRENOCK PRISON, Scotland – As rumors arise that Scottish authorities will agree to release Abdel Basset Ali al Megrahi, the man convicted for the terrorist act known as the Lockerbie Bombing, debate continues over whether he should be released.
Abdel Basset Ali al Megrahi was convicted for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over the town of Lockerbie Scotland, which killed 270 people and is known more commonly as the Lockerbie Bombing. He was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison for his involvement in the terrorist act and has been serving his sentence in Grenock Prison in Scotland since his conviction. However, in October 2008, after al Megrahi was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, he filed for compassionate release.
On August 12 Scottish Government Spokesman Kenny MacAskill made a statement to the press saying that no decision has yet been made on the request. However, information from other sources has led to speculation that al Megrahi’s request will be granted. According to al Megrahi’s wife, she has recieved confirmation from Libyan authorities that her husband will be released and that she will see him soon. Other reports have said that al Megrahi will be released and returned to Libya before the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan begins on August 21.
Following these reports, several relatives of those who were killed in the Lockebie Bombing have spoken out. Susan Cohen, whose daughter Theodora, a member of a group of students from Syracuse University, who was on board Flight 103, stated that the thought of al Megrahi’s release “makes [her] sick” and that it would be “vile.” An editorial written to Arab News argues that his release “is wrong” and that the way his case has been treated thus far is “a miscarriage of justice.” Kathleen Flynn, whose son was killed in the bombing told the BBC that al Megrahi “should never qualify for anything compassionate.”
Others, however, have come out to speak in favor of his release. Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora was killed in the bombing, stated that al Megrahi’s release would be to Scotland’s credit, and that “the sooner he is back with his family the better.” Moreover, tthers claim that al Megrahi was wrongly convicted and should not be in prison at all. According to Bob Monetti, whose son was killed, the families should “understand that Megrahi was just a tool in this. He wasn’t the person who decided what to do.”
Regardless of the debate over his release, al Megrahi continues his appeal and his request for release. He awaits a statement from the Scottish Government, expected to come out later this week.
For more information, please see:
Arab News – Editorial: Lockerbie Bomber – 14 August 2009
IOL News – Wife of Lockerbie Bomber Counts the Days – 14 August 2009
BBC – Lockerbie Bomber ‘To Be Released’ – 13 August 2009
Bloomberg – Scottish Government Has Yet to Decide on Al Megrahi – 13 August 2009
New York Times – Release of Lockerbie Convict is Debated – 13 August 2009
Telegraph – Lockerbie Bomber: US Says He Should Complete Sentence – 13 August 2009]
Impunity Watch – Libya Asks for Return of Terminally Ill Lockerbie Bomber – 28 July 2009
