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Seven US senators were today seeking to block the release of the Lockerbie bomber from a Scottish jail.
The politicians, including Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, wrote to Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to insist Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi serves his full jail term in Scotland.
Terminally-ill Al-Megrahi, the Libyan found guilty of the bombing, today formally dropped his second appeal against his conviction. He is serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2001 of the 1988 bombing, which killed 270 people.
The Libyan government applied in May for al-Megrahi to be transferred home to serve the rest of his sentence, but no transfer can be made if there are outstanding legal proceedings.
Dropping the appeal could remove this potential block — although there is still an outstanding appeal by the Crown against the length of the Libyan's sentence.
Al-Megrahi, who has prostate cancer, lodged a separate request last month to be released on compassionate grounds. But Washington is piling pressure on the Scottish administration to keep him behind bars. Of the 270 people killed in the terror strike on Pan Am flight 103, 189 were US citizens.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has contacted Mr MacAskill, urging him not to free the bomber.
In their letter, the senators condemned the bombing and said the “international agreement” over his sentence being served in Scotland should “not be deviated from”.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has found himself embroiled in the controversy after it emerged that he discussed al-Megrahi with Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi's son, when the two were on Corfu a fortnight ago.
Mr MacAskill said he will announce his decision by the end of the month.
Reader views (7)
Re. comment by Will of London above.
Good Post!
I am glad I am not the only one to object to being lectured on right and wrong by the odious Teddy Kennedy.
The man is without shame.
His attitude to the Provos was morally questionable to say the least. Also, some of us are old enough to remember Chappaquiddick.
- Ken Mac, Glasgow Scotland, 19/08/2009 15:44
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I am not anti American. I like America and most things American. But Teddy Kennedy is certainly not on my lists of 'Like.'
What brass neck to try to interfere with the principles and policies of another Nation in dealing with so called 'Terrorists.' This from a man who ignored UK Terrorism by the I.R.A. for a quarter of a century, a man who was vociferous in "Give Ireland back to the Irish."
Never more so in St Patrick's Day celebrations, particularly on the streets of Boston, which has a strong Irish affiliation.
What happened in Lockerbie and at 9/11 was a wicked catastrophe.I most sincerely respect the feelings and mourning of the loved ones left behind following those 2 outrages. The deaths and injuries incurred during the 25 years or so at the hands of the I.R.A. in Britain amounted to a greater loss in life than the combined 2 U.S. tragedies mentioned above. But that had no affect on Teddy Kennedy; It wasn't in his back yard.
How ironic then that 2 of the planes that committed the mass murder at 9/11 took off from Boston, the very place where money was being openly collected for U.K. based terrorists, i.e., the I.R.A. Has Kennedy considered the error of his ways? I doubt it. He's 1 American NOT on my 'Like List.'
Scottish Law will prevail. Go retire Ted, and count your blessings.
- Will, London, England., 19/08/2009 01:13
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It seems obvious he (megrahi) was innocent and just a scapegoat.
Senator Kennedy never had the same sentiments about members of the IRA jailed for murder. he was always trying to get them out, and they were guilty.
Why do we let the US try and bully us? what a disgusting perverse nation they are.
- Kerry Trubee, purley, 18/08/2009 15:55
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Lord Mandelson has made it quite clear that the decision whether or not to release this prisoner is entirely one for the Scottish courts and nothing to do with him. How ironic then that US Senators apparently feel that they should have some influence in Scotland where Lord Mandelson does not.
- Bloke, London, 18/08/2009 14:44
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I am uncomfortable with this as I do not think he was the bomber but a scapegoat that suited the Uk, USofA and Libya. He will go home to die and the newspapers will say "Lockerbie bomber dies!". Like the victims of the bombing al-Megrahi will never have true justice!
- Michael, London, 18/08/2009 13:14
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It's a pity that Senator Kennedy does not have the same sentiments regarding members of the IRA
- Mike Pullen, london, 18/08/2009 10:18
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He had a sham trial. The judges in their wisdom excluded devastating evidence that would have aquitted Al Megrahi. The real bombers got away scot-free.
- Neil, London, London UK, 18/08/2009 09:31
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