Bomber Release 'My Decision': Scot Justice Secretary

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»

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»

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»

(NEWSER) - President Obama today brought his displeasure over the release of the Lockerbie bomber directly to Gordon Brown’s attention, the BBC reports. Obama did not specifically blame Brown, but relatives of those who died are outraged at the release, and the president has called it a “mistake.” The UK PM maintains the decision to spring Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was entirely up to the Scottish government. More»

Minutes strengthen rumors of oil deal

(NEWSER) - More Lockerbie troubles for Gordon Brown. Newly released documents suggest the UK prime minister didn't want Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi to die in a Scottish prison, the London Times reports. The development will further fuel speculation that Britain tacitly led the push for Megrahi's release in exchange for a cozy oil deal with Libya. More»