Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (a Libyan who was head of security for Libyan Arab Airlines, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies in Tripoli, Libya, and an alleged Libyan intelligence officer) was convicted on 31 January 2001 by a special Scottish Court in the Netherlands for the bomb attack on Pan Am Flight 103 on 21 December 1988 over Lockerbie. After he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, he was released from prison on compassionate grounds on 20 August 2009, having served 8+1⁄2 years of a life sentence. His release was authorised by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. The decision attracted significant news coverage, engendering widespread celebration in Libya, a largely hostile reaction in the United States and a more equally divided reaction in Britain.[1]
His prolonged survival, exceeding the approximate three months suggested in August 2009, generated much controversy.[2] In Libya, he was released from hospital and later lived at his family's villa. His death was announced on 20 May 2012.[3][4]
- ^ Aujali, Ali (2 September 2009). "Why Libya Welcomed Megrahi". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
- ^ Jordy Yager (19 November 2009). "Sen. Schumer wants Lockerbie bomber back in Scottish prison". The Hill. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ Yager, Jordy (19 November 2009). "Sen. Schumer wants Lockerbie bomber back in Scottish prison". TheHill.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
- ^ "Libya: Lockerbie bomber asked back to jail – The AfricaNews articles of KingsleyKobo". AfricaNews. 20 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.