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Lockerbie bomber 'to be released' Lockerbie bomber 'to be released'
(about 2 hours later)
The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing is expected to be released next week, the BBC understands. The Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing is likely to be freed on compassionate grounds next week, the BBC understands.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who is suffering from terminal prostate cancer, has been serving his jail sentence at Greenock Prison. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, is serving life for murdering 270 people when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded in 1988.
Scottish ministers described the development as "complete speculation".Scottish ministers described the development as "complete speculation".
The Libyan had launched an appeal against his conviction for the murder of 270 people when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie in 1988. American Katherine Flynn, whose son died, told the BBC she was horrified that the "terrorist" could be released.
It is believed UK and Libyan officials have held talks this week. 'Vile disgrace'
The speed of Megrahi's transfer is believed to be influenced by consensus among all parties that Megrahi be back on Libyan soil in time for Ramadan next week. She added that he showed no mercy as he planted his bomb and should "never qualify for anything compassionate".
'Request deadline' "Did Megrahi as he planted a bomb on a US airliner reflect on any compassion for the people he was about to blow up out of the skies and the people on the ground in Lockerbie? I think not," she said.
The news came after Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill visited Megrahi in prison, amid speculation he might be moved to Libya. Megrahi was ordered to serve a minimum of 27 years in jail
The BBC's Daniel Sandford in Washington said "broadly" families in Scotland were concerned about the conviction, whereas US relatives were convinced of his guilt.
Fellow American Susan Cohen, whose 20-year-old daughter Theodora also died, said: "Any letting out of Megrahi would be a disgrace. It makes me sick, and if there is a compassionate release then I think that is vile."
But Pamela Dix, from UK Families Flight 103, said there had been a "lack of justice" for the victims, which included her brother Peter.
She told BBC Two's Newsnight she was "baffled" by much of the evidence in the trial that led to Megrahi's conviction in 2001.
'Unsatisfactory'
And Martin Cadman, who lost his son in the bombing, said he believed Mergrahi was an innocent man who had acted with others.
He said: "As far as I know the Scottish authorities and no-one else has done anything to try and find who these others were that were supposed to be implicated, so the whole thing is really very unsatisfactory".
It is believed UK and Libyan officials have held talks this week over Megrahi's appeal against his conviction.
The speed of his transfer is thought to be influenced by consensus among all parties that Megrahi be back on Libyan soil in time for Ramadan next week.
Megrahi is expected to be in Libya for Ramadan
News of his release came after Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill visited Megrahi in prison, amid speculation he might be moved to Libya.
A prisoner transfer request was made by Libya to the UK government last May, less than a week after a treaty allowing prisoners to be transferred between the two countries was ratified.A prisoner transfer request was made by Libya to the UK government last May, less than a week after a treaty allowing prisoners to be transferred between the two countries was ratified.
In response, to the BBC's story, a spokesman for Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: "No decision has been taken, either on the application for compassionate release or the application under the prisoner transfer agreement and so it is entirely speculation." But a spokesman for Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: "No decision has been taken, either on the application for compassionate release or the application under the prisoner transfer agreement and so it is entirely speculation."
Victims mother Katherine Flynn: "I would just be horrified" A Scottish government spokesman added that a decision was expected from Mr MacAskill this month.
Decisions about prisoners are the responsibility of the Scottish Government, in effect giving Mr MacAskill the final say.
Mr MacAskill said last week he would miss the 90-day deadline, which expired on 3 August, because he was waiting for more information.Mr MacAskill said last week he would miss the 90-day deadline, which expired on 3 August, because he was waiting for more information.
'Medical evidence'
No transfer can take place if criminal proceedings are active, meaning Megrahi would have to drop his latest appeal against his conviction in order to be sent home.No transfer can take place if criminal proceedings are active, meaning Megrahi would have to drop his latest appeal against his conviction in order to be sent home.
He was ordered to remain in prison for a minimum of 27 years, having been found guilty of the bombing - which is still the UK's worst terrorist atrocity.He was ordered to remain in prison for a minimum of 27 years, having been found guilty of the bombing - which is still the UK's worst terrorist atrocity.
Megrahi's legal team had also made a request for him to released from prison on compassionate grounds.Megrahi's legal team had also made a request for him to released from prison on compassionate grounds.
An earlier request, made in October 2008, was rejected by Appeal Court judges after they heard medical evidence that with adequate palliative care, Megrahi could live for several years.An earlier request, made in October 2008, was rejected by Appeal Court judges after they heard medical evidence that with adequate palliative care, Megrahi could live for several years.
The court heard that such requests are normally only granted where a prisoner has fewer than three months to live.The court heard that such requests are normally only granted where a prisoner has fewer than three months to live.