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US stands against bomber release | US stands against bomber release |
(about 5 hours later) | |
US officials have said the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing should serve out his sentence following reports that he could be released. | US officials have said the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing should serve out his sentence following reports that he could be released. |
The BBC understands Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, is likely to be freed next week. | The BBC understands Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, is likely to be freed next week. |
A US official told the BBC that they had no information that he was set be released on compassionate grounds. | A US official told the BBC that they had no information that he was set be released on compassionate grounds. |
However, he added that the American position remained that Megrahi should complete his jail term in Scotland. | However, he added that the American position remained that Megrahi should complete his jail term in Scotland. |
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. |
ANALYSIS James Robbins, BBC diplomatic correspondent | ANALYSIS James Robbins, BBC diplomatic correspondent |
The past few years have seen Libya move from pariah status as a country sponsoring terrorism to a nation now held up as a model for others to follow. | The past few years have seen Libya move from pariah status as a country sponsoring terrorism to a nation now held up as a model for others to follow. |
The rewards have been great - Libya's oil industry has been rescued from gradual breakdown by the return of international investment and modernisation. | The rewards have been great - Libya's oil industry has been rescued from gradual breakdown by the return of international investment and modernisation. |
Colonel Gaddafi himself can attend prestigious international gatherings again. Britain and Libya even co-operate in sharing some intelligence, even if big questions still remain over human freedoms in Libya. | |
But now differences of view about what should happen to Scotland's Libyan prisoner threaten to upset a clear narrative which Britain and the United States were very happy with. Send us your comments | But now differences of view about what should happen to Scotland's Libyan prisoner threaten to upset a clear narrative which Britain and the United States were very happy with. Send us your comments |
A US official told the BBC they had "no information to suggest that the Scottish authorities have taken any decision" to release Megrahi. | A US official told the BBC they 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 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 mixed reactions from the families of the victims of the 1988 bombing. | The reports that he could be freed on compassionate grounds provoked mixed 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." |
Kathleen Flynn, whose son was killed, said Megrahi should "never qualify for anything compassionate". | Kathleen Flynn, whose son was killed, 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, Jim Swire, who is also the father of a victim, said he had never been convinced that Megrahi had carried out the bombing. | However, Jim Swire, who is also the father of a victim, 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 | 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. |