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Libyans Paid for Lockerbie Bomber's Terminal Diagnosis

Pressed docs to find that al-Megrahi had just 3 months to live

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 6, 2009 11:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – Libya footed the bill for medical evidence that suggested the Lockerbie bomber had just 3 months to live, the Sunday Telegraph reports. The Libyan government pushed doctors to make the prognosis, required in Scotland for the release of prisoners on grounds of compassion. “The figure of three months was suggested as being helpful (by the Libyans),” said one doctor. “To start with I said it was impossible to do that.”

“But when I looked at it,” he continued, “it looked as though it could be done—you could actually say that.” Meanwhile, the Telegraph finds that Libya’s foreign minister warned of the reaction that would be prompted by Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi’s death in jail. The minister “stated that Mr al-Megrahi’s death in Scotland would not be viewed well by the Muslims or Arabs. Nor would it be good for relations,” according to minutes of a meeting between Scottish and Libyan officials.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, left, gestures at Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill during First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept. 3, 2009.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, left, gestures at Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill during First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept. 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Milligan-pa)
In this Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi gestures as he takes his seat behind bulletproof glass for a military parade in Green Square, Tripoli, Libya.
In this Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi gestures as he takes his seat behind bulletproof glass for a military parade in Green Square, Tripoli, Libya.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Released Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, is seen in a hospital bed in Tripoli Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009.
Released Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, is seen in a hospital bed in Tripoli Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Channel 4 News, via APTN)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
riffran
Sep 7, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
Carpetbaggers? That's rich. The real carpet bagger was hillarhoid. Moved to new York claimed"IM ONE OF YOU NOW". And ran for the seat as a new yorker. THAT'S a carpetbagger
youngblood
Sep 7, 2009 2:15 AM CDT
Jesus H. Christ, excuse me for asking an honest question.
youngblood
Sep 6, 2009 4:46 AM CDT
Did Libya cave in on this?

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