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The Daily OrangeLockerbie bomber released from prison to die at home, U.S. outraged
By Bethany Bump
Posted: 8/20/09, 4:30 PM EST Section: News
Former Libyan intelligence agent Abdel Baset al-Megrahi - the only person convicted in the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and the killing of 35 Syracuse University students - was released from Scottish prison today on compassionate grounds.
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill made a formal announcement at 1 p.m. saying al-Megrahi, recently diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, will be allowed to die in his homeland. His decision came after a week of American requests to show no mercy to the man who showed no mercy to their family members and citizens.
Following al-Megrahi's release from Greenock Prison today, he was collected from Glasgow Airport by Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi's private jet.
Al-Megrahi, 57, was serving a life sentence after he was convicted in 2001 of 270 counts of murder for his role in the midair bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The terrorist act took the lives of 270 people - all 259 on the jet and 11 on the ground where the airliner crashed. The 35 SU students on the flight were returning home from a semester abroad in London and Florence, Italy, to spend the holidays with their families.
Investigators ruled that an explosive planted inside a tape recorder blasted a 20-inch-wide hole in the plane's fuselage.
Syracuse University spokesman Kevin Morrow released a statement today in response to al-Megrahi's release: "During this time our thoughts are with the Pan Am Flight 103 victims and their families and, as always, keeping the memories alive of those we lost. From the beginning, we have wanted justice to be served in this case. Given the tremendous suffering this terrorist act caused to innocent citizens, their families, and their communities, we are extremely disappointed that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has been released."
President Barack Obama said that the decision to free al-Megrahi was a mistake and warned Libya not to welcome him as a hero. Family members of the victims expressed outrage and hurt.
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill made a formal announcement at 1 p.m. saying al-Megrahi, recently diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, will be allowed to die in his homeland. His decision came after a week of American requests to show no mercy to the man who showed no mercy to their family members and citizens.
Following al-Megrahi's release from Greenock Prison today, he was collected from Glasgow Airport by Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi's private jet.
Al-Megrahi, 57, was serving a life sentence after he was convicted in 2001 of 270 counts of murder for his role in the midair bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The terrorist act took the lives of 270 people - all 259 on the jet and 11 on the ground where the airliner crashed. The 35 SU students on the flight were returning home from a semester abroad in London and Florence, Italy, to spend the holidays with their families.
Investigators ruled that an explosive planted inside a tape recorder blasted a 20-inch-wide hole in the plane's fuselage.
Syracuse University spokesman Kevin Morrow released a statement today in response to al-Megrahi's release: "During this time our thoughts are with the Pan Am Flight 103 victims and their families and, as always, keeping the memories alive of those we lost. From the beginning, we have wanted justice to be served in this case. Given the tremendous suffering this terrorist act caused to innocent citizens, their families, and their communities, we are extremely disappointed that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has been released."
President Barack Obama said that the decision to free al-Megrahi was a mistake and warned Libya not to welcome him as a hero. Family members of the victims expressed outrage and hurt.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
JAMES L. MAGOWAN '62
posted 8/20/09 @ 8:26 PM EST
I am sure there is no risk associated with ths 'compassion.' We can be certain, am sure, that he will not get help from his compatriots in obtaining a passport and documents so he can get on an airlane with another bomb and use his last 3 months productively. (Continued…)
Kevin Johnston
posted 8/20/09 @ 9:50 PM EST
Having lived through the terror and sadness this tragic cowardly act brought to our campus, has left me in disbelief to our NATO colleges. My roommate at the time was from Scotland and I come from Scottish parents and I was always felt Scotland Yard would take the necessary steps to bring some level of justice to the families. (Continued…)
CollegeTimes
posted 8/25/09 @ 4:47 AM EST
It's a bit shocking but it makes you wonder if there's any level of humanity in showing grace to criminals in their last hours of life on the planet.. (Continued…)
scott mc
posted 8/25/09 @ 8:59 PM EST
My grandmother was born in Glasgow.
I went to SU.
So, from Scottish heritage and as a graduate of SU, this decision makes me ashamed to be Scottish and sad for SU. (Continued…)
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