All 259 people on board died, and 11 Lockerbie residents were killed by falling debris. Megrahi, a 57-year-old former Libyan intelligence officer, was sentenced in 1991 to life in prison at the Greenock prison in Scotland. 

 

Maintaining his innocence, Megrahi lost his first appeal in 2001, but has continued fighting. Last week he filed his second appeal when new evidence became available and a review of the previous court proceeding was requested.

 

A new prisoner-transfer treaty has been drafted between Libya and the United Kingdom which will allow Megrahi to apply to serve the remainder of his term at home in Libya or remain in a Scottish jail and attempt to clear his name. Last year he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his health is deteriorating. If he is transferred to Libya, he would be close to his family; however he would also have to abandon his appeal.

 

Relatives of the bombing victims are split between approving Megrahi’s return home, and requiring him to continue his life sentence in Scotland. Some believe that he really has been wrongly accused, but others strongly oppose his release, arguing that the existing evidence proves his guilt.

-Jessica Giffin

 

Split Among Lockerbie Relatives as Megrahi Bids to Clear Name (by John Robertson, The Scotsman)

Lockerbie Prisoner May Benefit From UK/Libya Deal (by Ali Shuaib, Reuters)

Libya Scents Success Over Lockerbie Prisoner (by Ali Shuaib and Saleh Sarrar, Reuters)

Lockerbie Bomber to Choose Between Appeal or Going Home (by Charlene Sweeney, Times of London)