Abdel Baset Al-Megrahi, the only man convicted of bombing PANAM Flight 103 in 1988, was released from a Scottish prison in August 2009. The release was to have been based on medical reports that he was 3 months away from dying from prostate cancer and his release was a compassionate decision. Over a year later, he is still alive and free, in his native Tripoli. This has prompted an investigation by US officials. It now appears that none of the doctors from the UK National Health Service who treated his cancer had agreed with the findings. There are allegations that Scotland granted the release for political reasons, and BP Oil has been implicated, but denies their involvement. Families of the Lockerbie victims are very suspicious. So far, Al-Megrahi’s medical records have not been released.
It is not hard to understand why the US government and the families of the people killed in the airline bombing are so upset at this situation. The more that comes out about this story, the more it appears that a deal was cut that benefited either Scotland or perhaps a major company such as BP oil. The US is right to push Scotland for answers to this situation. Scotland owes an explanation to the families as well.
Sonne, Paul. “Lockerbie Release Flawed.” The Wall Street Journal. 6 August 2010.
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