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Anger at Lockerbie bomber welcome | Anger at Lockerbie bomber welcome |
(20 minutes later) | |
Relatives of those who died in the bombing of a US plane over Lockerbie voiced anger as the man convicted of the attack was welcomed home in Libya. | Relatives of those who died in the bombing of a US plane over Lockerbie voiced anger as the man convicted of the attack was welcomed home in Libya. |
Crowds in Tripoli greeted Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, after he was freed from prison on compassionate grounds. | Crowds in Tripoli greeted Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, after he was freed from prison on compassionate grounds. |
The son of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi called his release a courageous step by Scotland and Britain. | The son of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi called his release a courageous step by Scotland and Britain. |
But there was angry reaction from families of those killed in the bombing and from US President Barack Obama. | But there was angry reaction from families of those killed in the bombing and from US President Barack Obama. |
Most of the 270 people who died when Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie in 1988 were Americans. | Most of the 270 people who died when Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie in 1988 were Americans. |
Mr Obama said Megrahi's release, eight years into his life sentence, was "a mistake". | Mr Obama said Megrahi's release, eight years into his life sentence, was "a mistake". |
US powerless as bomber freed In pictures: Bomber's release 'A convenient scapegoat?' Bomber release: What now? | US powerless as bomber freed In pictures: Bomber's release 'A convenient scapegoat?' Bomber release: What now? |
He said his administration had told the Libyan government that Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, should not receive a hero's welcome and should be placed under house arrest. | He said his administration had told the Libyan government that Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, should not receive a hero's welcome and should be placed under house arrest. |
Hundreds of people, nonetheless, turned out to meet Megrahi's plane as it landed in Tripoli, many waving flags. | Hundreds of people, nonetheless, turned out to meet Megrahi's plane as it landed in Tripoli, many waving flags. |
Megrahi, who had changed from the tracksuit he wore to leave Greenock prison in Scotland into a dark suit, was met by Col Gaddafi's son. | |
"I would like to thank the Scottish government for its courageous decision and understanding of a special human situation," Seif al-Islam Gaddafi was quoted as saying. | "I would like to thank the Scottish government for its courageous decision and understanding of a special human situation," Seif al-Islam Gaddafi was quoted as saying. |
There was a considerable amount of new evidence to show that he was innocent, he is reported to have added. | There was a considerable amount of new evidence to show that he was innocent, he is reported to have added. |
Megrahi was then taken to his family home where his wife, Aisha, said she was "overjoyed". | Megrahi was then taken to his family home where his wife, Aisha, said she was "overjoyed". |
"It is a great moment, which we have been waiting for for nine years," she said. "The house is full to bursting, everyone who loves Abdelbaset is with us." | "It is a great moment, which we have been waiting for for nine years," she said. "The house is full to bursting, everyone who loves Abdelbaset is with us." |
'An insult' | 'An insult' |
But relatives of those who died voiced growing anger and outrage at the decision to release him. | But relatives of those who died voiced growing anger and outrage at the decision to release him. |
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has always denied the charges against him | Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has always denied the charges against him |
Susan Cohen of New Jersey, whose 20-year-old daughter Theodora died in the bombing, said it was "so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it". | Susan Cohen of New Jersey, whose 20-year-old daughter Theodora died in the bombing, said it was "so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it". |
"You want to feel sorry for anyone, please feel sorry for me, feel sorry for my poor daughter, her body falling a mile through the air," Ms Cohen told CNN. | "You want to feel sorry for anyone, please feel sorry for me, feel sorry for my poor daughter, her body falling a mile through the air," Ms Cohen told CNN. |
Kara Weipz, who lost her brother, said the move was an insult. "I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse," she said. | Kara Weipz, who lost her brother, said the move was an insult. "I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse," she said. |
But other relatives reacted differently to the news. | But other relatives reacted differently to the news. |
British relatives' spokesman Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora in the atrocity, reiterated his view that Megrahi had "nothing to do with" the bombing. | British relatives' spokesman Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora in the atrocity, reiterated his view that Megrahi had "nothing to do with" the bombing. |
Have Your Say I am ashamed to be Scottish today. Where is the justice for the victims? Ross MacDonald, Edinburgh Send us your comment | Have Your Say I am ashamed to be Scottish today. Where is the justice for the victims? Ross MacDonald, Edinburgh Send us your comment |
"I don't believe for a moment that this man was involved in the way that he was found to have been involved," he said. | "I don't believe for a moment that this man was involved in the way that he was found to have been involved," he said. |
Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands but has always denied being behind the bombing. | Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands but has always denied being behind the bombing. |
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced the release order on Thursday morning, saying Megrahi probably had about three months to live. | Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced the release order on Thursday morning, saying Megrahi probably had about three months to live. |
The fact that Megrahi's victims were shown no compassion was "not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days", he said. | The fact that Megrahi's victims were shown no compassion was "not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days", he said. |
In London, a spokesman for the Foreign Office said any decision to release Megrahi "was for the Scottish government and ministers to take, as they have done". | In London, a spokesman for the Foreign Office said any decision to release Megrahi "was for the Scottish government and ministers to take, as they have done". |
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Tripoli says that in the short time Megrahi is believed to have left to live, he is likely to be feted as a national hero in Libya. | The BBC's Christian Fraser in Tripoli says that in the short time Megrahi is believed to have left to live, he is likely to be feted as a national hero in Libya. |
But when he does die, says our correspondent, he will go to the grave a convicted murderer. | But when he does die, says our correspondent, he will go to the grave a convicted murderer. |