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21/08/2009
Anger As Lockerbie Bomber Returns Home
Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has returned home to Libya, as relatives of the victims and US President Barack Obama voiced their anger.
The 57-year-old, who has terminal prostate cancer, was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie in Scotland on December 21, 1988, killing 270 people, in 2001.
He was released on compassionate grounds by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on Thursday. It is believed that Megrahi only has about three months to live.
However, the move has sparked anger from some of the relatives of those who died in the bombing, as well as President Obama, who said that the decision was "a mistake".
Stephanie Bernstein, whose husband was killed in the bombing, told the BBC that the decision was "naive".
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that it would be "absolutely wrong" to release Megrahi.
Megrahi was flown to Libya upon his release on Thursday and received a hero's welcome upon his return.
US authorities are reported to be in contact with Libya in order to ask that he be placed under house arrest.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the sight of Megrahi receiving a hero's welcome was "deeply upsetting".
The BBC has also now reported that a Royal visit to Libya by the Duke of York, which was planned for early September, is now being reconsidered.
(KMcA/BMcC)
The 57-year-old, who has terminal prostate cancer, was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie in Scotland on December 21, 1988, killing 270 people, in 2001.
He was released on compassionate grounds by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on Thursday. It is believed that Megrahi only has about three months to live.
However, the move has sparked anger from some of the relatives of those who died in the bombing, as well as President Obama, who said that the decision was "a mistake".
Stephanie Bernstein, whose husband was killed in the bombing, told the BBC that the decision was "naive".
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that it would be "absolutely wrong" to release Megrahi.
Megrahi was flown to Libya upon his release on Thursday and received a hero's welcome upon his return.
US authorities are reported to be in contact with Libya in order to ask that he be placed under house arrest.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the sight of Megrahi receiving a hero's welcome was "deeply upsetting".
The BBC has also now reported that a Royal visit to Libya by the Duke of York, which was planned for early September, is now being reconsidered.
(KMcA/BMcC)
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20 August 2009
Lockerbie Bomber Released
Despite widespread opposition, the Lockerbie bomber has this afternoon left Scotland on board a plane bound for Libya. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, was freed from prison on compassionate grounds after being jailed in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988.
Lockerbie Bomber Released
Despite widespread opposition, the Lockerbie bomber has this afternoon left Scotland on board a plane bound for Libya. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, was freed from prison on compassionate grounds after being jailed in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988.
28 July 2010
US Senate Postpone Lockerbie Hearings
Senate hearings in the US investigating the release of the Lockerie bomber have been postponed amid accusations that BP and British officials are "stonewalling" the probe.
US Senate Postpone Lockerbie Hearings
Senate hearings in the US investigating the release of the Lockerie bomber have been postponed amid accusations that BP and British officials are "stonewalling" the probe.
18 August 2009
Lockerbie Bomber Drops Second Appeal
The Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing has dropped his second appeal against his conviction.
Lockerbie Bomber Drops Second Appeal
The Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing has dropped his second appeal against his conviction.
13 August 2009
Libyan Bomber To Be Freed?
A decision is expected today on the proposed release of the Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. It looks increasingly likely that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, will be freed on compassionate grounds next week.
Libyan Bomber To Be Freed?
A decision is expected today on the proposed release of the Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. It looks increasingly likely that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, will be freed on compassionate grounds next week.
24 November 2003
Lockerbie bomber to serve at least 27 years
Abdelbaset ali Mohmet al Megrahi, the Libyan secret service agent who was found guilty of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 above Lockerbie in 1988, has been told that he must serve at least 27 years in prison.
Lockerbie bomber to serve at least 27 years
Abdelbaset ali Mohmet al Megrahi, the Libyan secret service agent who was found guilty of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 above Lockerbie in 1988, has been told that he must serve at least 27 years in prison.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
