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Bomber Release 'My Decision': Scot Justice Secretary

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2009 1:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said today that the release of the Lockerbie bomber "was my decision and my decision alone," reports the Times of London, but that Libya violated an agreement in greeting Abdelbaset al-Megrahi with a hero's welcome. “It is a matter of great regret that Mr. al-Megrahi was received in such an inappropriate manner,” he told Scottish parliament. "It showed no compassion or sensitivity to the families of the 270 victims of Lockerbie."

MacAskill also reiterated his claim that the release of al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds was not a political move. “My decision was made following due process and according to the law of Scotland. I stand by the law and values of Scotland,” he said. “I live with the consequences.” Libyan officials say there was no “hero’s reception” for the Lockerbie bomber. “It is like when someone returns from the hajj,” one says.

Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.
Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.   (AP Photo)
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.   (AP Photo)
Libyan Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who was found guilty of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, center, is helped down the airplane steps on his arrival at an airport in Tripoli, Libya.
Libyan Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who was found guilty of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, center, is helped down the airplane steps on his arrival at an airport in Tripoli, Libya.   (AP Photo)
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Compassion, which after all is inscribed on the Mace of the Scottish Parliament as one of the principles by which we should operate, is not a sign of weakness. It seemed to me to be a sign of manifest strength. - Kenny MacAskill

Assurances had been given by the Libyan government that any return would be dealt with in a low-key and sensitive fashion. - Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Mad
Aug 25, 2009 7:13 AM CDT
Well, I again offer my admiration of MacAskill's huge show of compassion. Showing mercy is such an exquisitely human emotion - seeking revenge/never forgiving is so much more base
Islander
Aug 25, 2009 3:27 AM CDT
Thanks again, Derni. Your anger is quite palpable. Perhaps the reason that he was in a Scottish prison has escaped you - a lot of Scots died in that atrocity. The Justice Secretary isn't being anti-American, nor pro-terrorist - he's applying the laws of Scotland. If that's stupid, so be it, and as for the British giving the Scots too much leeway - sorry folks - that's the way that the UK works. We don't interfere with the laws of England, Wales or Northern Ireland - they don't interfere with us. Have a nice day.
Derni
Aug 24, 2009 11:33 AM CDT
He is a political fool and his rationalizing the situation is ludicrous-I say we BOYCOTT all Goods and travel there-let them feel our anger for their stupidity

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