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| Opinion split over bomber release | Opinion split over bomber release |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Relatives of Lockerbie bombing victims are divided over revelations that the man convicted of the atrocity could be freed on compassionate grounds. | Relatives of Lockerbie bombing victims are divided over revelations that the man convicted of the atrocity could be freed on compassionate grounds. |
| The BBC understands Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, is likely to be released next week. | The BBC understands Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, is likely to be released next week. |
| Kathleen Flynn, who lost her son, said the Libyan had shown no compassion for the 270 victims at Lockerbie. | Kathleen Flynn, who lost her son, said the Libyan had shown no compassion for the 270 victims at Lockerbie. |
| However, Jim Swire, whose daughter was killed, said it was the right thing to do "on reasonable human grounds". | However, Jim Swire, whose daughter was killed, said it was the right thing to do "on reasonable human grounds". |
| The Scottish Government is currently considering applications for either Megrahi's transfer to a Libyan jail or his release. | The Scottish Government is currently considering applications for either Megrahi's transfer to a Libyan jail or his release. |
| I think he is innocent and even if he were not innocent, I still think it's the right thing to do on compassionate grounds Martin CadmanVictim's father | I think he is innocent and even if he were not innocent, I still think it's the right thing to do on compassionate grounds Martin CadmanVictim's father |
| A US official has told the BBC the US had "no information to suggest that the Scottish authorities have taken any decision" to release Megrahi. | |
| The official added: "We maintain our long-standing position that Megrahi should serve out the entirety of his sentence in Scotland for his part in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103." | |
| The reports that he could be freed on compassionate grounds provoked strong reactions from the families of the victims of the 1988 bombing. | The reports that he could be freed on compassionate grounds provoked strong reactions from the families of the victims of the 1988 bombing. |
| Stephanie Bernstein, who lost her husband Michael, said his release would send a message that terrorism was not taken seriously. | Stephanie Bernstein, who lost her husband Michael, said his release would send a message that terrorism was not taken seriously. |
| She told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think it would play right into Colonel Gaddafi's hands. | She told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think it would play right into Colonel Gaddafi's hands. |
| "It shows that if you bide your time and if you wait long enough you can be rewarded, and this is what Colonel Gaddafi has done." | "It shows that if you bide your time and if you wait long enough you can be rewarded, and this is what Colonel Gaddafi has done." |
| Ms Flynn said Megrahi should "never qualify for anything compassionate". | Ms Flynn said Megrahi should "never qualify for anything compassionate". |
| "My husband and I went to the trial practically every day for many, many years," she said. | "My husband and I went to the trial practically every day for many, many years," she said. |
| "We watched all the evidence and there is no question in my mind that this man is guilty." | "We watched all the evidence and there is no question in my mind that this man is guilty." |
| The Scottish Government said no decision had been made on Megrahi | The Scottish Government said no decision had been made on Megrahi |
| However, Mr Swire said he had never been convinced that Megrahi had carried out the bombing. | However, Mr Swire said he had never been convinced that Megrahi had carried out the bombing. |
| "The sooner he is back with his family, the better," he said. | "The sooner he is back with his family, the better," he said. |
| "On reasonable human grounds it is the right thing to do. | "On reasonable human grounds it is the right thing to do. |
| "If it's true that he is to be returned on compassionate grounds, then that would be more to Scotland's credit than returning him under the prison transfer agreement." | "If it's true that he is to be returned on compassionate grounds, then that would be more to Scotland's credit than returning him under the prison transfer agreement." |
| Martin Cadman, who lost his son Bill, would also support Megrahi's release. | Martin Cadman, who lost his son Bill, would also support Megrahi's release. |
| He said: "I think he is innocent and even if he were not innocent, I still think it's the right thing to do on compassionate grounds." | He said: "I think he is innocent and even if he were not innocent, I still think it's the right thing to do on compassionate grounds." |
| Lockerbie resident Maxwell Kerr, who witnessed the devastation caused by the bombing, said he was also in favour of Megrahi being freed. | Lockerbie resident Maxwell Kerr, who witnessed the devastation caused by the bombing, said he was also in favour of Megrahi being freed. |
| "As far as I'm concerned he should be released on compassionate grounds," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme. | "As far as I'm concerned he should be released on compassionate grounds," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme. |
| However, the Scottish Government stressed that no decision had been made on Megrahi's application for release. | However, the Scottish Government stressed that no decision had been made on Megrahi's application for release. |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had listened to the representations from everyone "with a legitimate interest". | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had listened to the representations from everyone "with a legitimate interest". |
| 'No decision' | 'No decision' |
| "I now have to reflect," he said. | "I now have to reflect," he said. |
| "I'm conscious that I have to do that as speedily as possible. | "I'm conscious that I have to do that as speedily as possible. |
| "Clearly he's terminally ill and there are other factors, but I have made no decision yet." | "Clearly he's terminally ill and there are other factors, but I have made no decision yet." |
| HAVE YOUR SAYIt is an outrage that he might be released on this or any other basisTom Moore, Ohio, US Send us your comments | |
| Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands. | Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands. |
| A first appeal against that verdict was rejected the following year. | A first appeal against that verdict was rejected the following year. |
| However, in 2007 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission granted him a second appeal. | However, in 2007 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission granted him a second appeal. |
| It subsequently emerged he was suffering from terminal cancer but a bid to have him granted bail was refused. | It subsequently emerged he was suffering from terminal cancer but a bid to have him granted bail was refused. |
| His second appeal got under way this year. Shortly afterwards applications were made for both his transfer to a Libyan jail and release on compassionate grounds. | His second appeal got under way this year. Shortly afterwards applications were made for both his transfer to a Libyan jail and release on compassionate grounds. |
| He would have to abandon his appeal if he was to be returned to Libya under a prisoner transfer. | He would have to abandon his appeal if he was to be returned to Libya under a prisoner transfer. |
| However, South of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame predicted that Megrahi's appeal would continue if he was granted compassionate release. | However, South of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame predicted that Megrahi's appeal would continue if he was granted compassionate release. |