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Scotland Defies US, Releases Lockerbie Bomber

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2009 7:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – The only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, has been released on compassionate grounds and will return to Libya, reports the BBC. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was sentenced to life for the murder of 270 people, but he... Read full story »

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'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite

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World • Crime & Courts

terrorism • Scotland • Libya • bombing • clemency • parole • Lockerbie • plane hijacking • Pan Am Flight 103 • Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi

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US: Put Lockerbie Bomber Back in Jail

It's been a year since controversial release

(NEWSER) - It's been a year since Scotland made the staggering decision to free the man convicted of blowing up Pan Am Flight 103 and 270 souls over Lockerbie, and the US has a little anniversary message: Put him back in jail. White House counterterror chief John Brennan told Scottish officials that "Megrahi should serve out the remainder—the entirety—of his sentence in a Scottish prison." More»

Lockerbie Bomber Still Alive

Three-month life expectancy was only an approximate, says Scot minister

(NEWSER) - Scotland caused international outrage when it released Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi to Libya on compassionate grounds because he had only three months to live. That was six months ago. While the convicted terrorist continues to call Scotland twice monthly as per the terms of his parole, Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill was scrambling to back off the 3-month window as an approximation as early as last month. Victims' relatives aren't amused. More»

Lockerbie Bomber Bids to Clear Name

Victims' relatives unimpressed with content of new website

(NEWSER) - The Lockerbie bomber has launched a website that makes available documents from an appeal he mounted before being released for medical reasons, the Telegraph reports. Relatives of the passengers on Pan Am Flight 103 say Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's site contains nothing new: “It's a lobbying effort. It's almost as if he thinks that if he says it long enough it will become true," said the president of a group that represents victims' families. More»

Libyans Welcome Home Lockerbie Bomber

Obama called release 'a mistake'

(NEWSER) - Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi arrived in Libya to a hero's welcome today after being released by Scottish authorities, the BBC reports. Hundreds greeted him at the Tripoli airport waving Libyan flags, and he was then escorted to a private meeting with Moammar Gadhafi. "We have been in contact with the Scottish government, indicating that we objected to this,” said President Obama. “We thought it was a mistake." More»

Libya Seeks Transfer of Dying Lockerbie Bomber

Scotland has final say over inmate's fate

(NEWSER) - Libya is pressing the Scottish government to OK a transfer that would allow a terminally ill Lockerbie conspirator to die at home, the BBC reports. The prisoner, who was convicted in 2001 for his role in the 1988 Pan Am bombing, would have to drop an appeal that's currently being heard if he hopes to be repatriated. The Scottish government has the final say, and victims' relatives are split over the issue. More»

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Scotland Defies US, Releases Lockerbie Bomber

terrorism • Scotland • Libya • bombing • clemency • parole • Lockerbie • plane hijacking • Pan Am Flight 103 • Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi

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US: Put Lockerbie Bomber Back in Jail

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Lockerbie Bomber Bids to Clear Name

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Libyans Welcome Home Lockerbie Bomber

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