Alleged Lockerbie Bomber Could Be Released

Britain's refusal to release evidence pushes judges to consider letting al-Megrahi go
By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 24, 2008 9:19 AM CDT
Alleged Lockerbie Bomber Could Be Released
Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was the only man convicted in the 1988 Pan Am 103 bombing.   (Getty Images)

A convicted terrorist could be released from a Scottish jail soon just because the British government doesn’t want to reveal sensitive evidence against him, Radar reports. Abdel Basset al-Megrahi has been locked up since 1999 for his alleged involvement in the 1988 Pan Am 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland—but recent revelations suggest he may not be responsible at all.

The US reportedly paid witnesses to testify against the Libyan, and it’s rumored classified documents exonerate him and blame Iran. But Britain has prohibited their release, so judges will decide this week whether to give al-Megrahi a fair trial or turn him loose. “Whatever the evidence, it's a clear preference of the authorities that the world never see it,” Radar writes. (More Lockerbie stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X