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Decision reached on bomber's fate | Decision reached on bomber's fate |
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A decision has been reached which could see the Lockerbie bomber freed or transferred to jail in Libya. | A decision has been reached which could see the Lockerbie bomber freed or transferred to jail in Libya. |
The Scottish justice secretary has said he will announce the fate of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi in a statement on Thursday afternoon. | The Scottish justice secretary has said he will announce the fate of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi in a statement on Thursday afternoon. |
Megrahi, 57, is dying from terminal prostate cancer. | Megrahi, 57, is dying from terminal prostate cancer. |
He is serving a life sentence of at least 27 years following his 2001 conviction for the Pan Am flight 103 bomb in 1988, which killed 270 people. | |
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had informed families and other interested parties that he had reached his decision on the applications for prisoner transfer and compassionate release. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had informed families and other interested parties that he had reached his decision on the applications for prisoner transfer and compassionate release. |
He will announce his decision on Thursday at 1300 BST at the Scottish Government's ministerial headquarters in Edinburgh. | He will announce his decision on Thursday at 1300 BST at the Scottish Government's ministerial headquarters in Edinburgh. |
Hillary Clinton: ''We think it is very much against the wishes of the family members'' | Hillary Clinton: ''We think it is very much against the wishes of the family members'' |
It follows intense pressure on the justice secretary and the Scottish Government, including interventions from the White House. | It follows intense pressure on the justice secretary and the Scottish Government, including interventions from the White House. |
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated her opposition to the possible release of Megrahi. | On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated her opposition to the possible release of Megrahi. |
She said it would be "absolutely wrong". | She said it would be "absolutely wrong". |
"I knew a lot of these families. I talked with them about what a horror they experienced," Mrs Clinton said. | "I knew a lot of these families. I talked with them about what a horror they experienced," Mrs Clinton said. |
Earlier this week, a letter from seven US senators including Edward Kennedy and John Kerry urged Mr MacAskill to keep Megrahi behind bars. | Earlier this week, a letter from seven US senators including Edward Kennedy and John Kerry urged Mr MacAskill to keep Megrahi behind bars. |
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We have a strong justice system in Scotland and people can be assured that the justice secretary's decisions have been reached on the basis of clear evidence and on no other factors." | |
Appeal dropped | Appeal dropped |
Chancellor Alistair Darling, standing in for the prime minister while Gordon Brown is on holiday, said it was a decision for the Scottish Government. | Chancellor Alistair Darling, standing in for the prime minister while Gordon Brown is on holiday, said it was a decision for the Scottish Government. |
On Tuesday, judges at the High Court in Edinburgh who accepted Megrahi's application to drop his appeal were told Megrahi's health had recently worsened very considerably. | On Tuesday, judges at the High Court in Edinburgh who accepted Megrahi's application to drop his appeal were told Megrahi's health had recently worsened very considerably. |
By dropping his appeal, Megrahi has removed one potential obstacle to his transfer to a jail in his homeland. | By dropping his appeal, Megrahi has removed one potential obstacle to his transfer to a jail in his homeland. |
However, a Crown appeal against the length of his sentence is still ongoing. | However, a Crown appeal against the length of his sentence is still ongoing. |
Do you think Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi should be released? | Do you think Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi should be released? |
Send us your views on video or webcam toyourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send us your views on video or webcam toyourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
Or you can leave your views on the form below. | Or you can leave your views on the form below. |
NameYour E-mail addressTown & CountryPhone number (optional):Comments | NameYour E-mail addressTown & CountryPhone number (optional):Comments |