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Al-Megrahi Death: Justice Secretary MacAskill Says Release 'Right Decision For Right Reason'

PA/The Huffington Post UK  |  Posted: Updated: 21/05/2012 14:33

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Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has defended his decision to release the Lockerbie bomber almost three years ago as the only man convicted of the tragedy is buried in Libya on Monday.

Kenny MacAskill said he had made the "right decision for the right reasons" as he gave his reaction to the death of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.

Former Libyan intelligence officer Megrahi was sentenced to life in prison for the 1988 bombing of a US airliner over the Dumfries and Galloway town of Lockerbie, claiming 270 lives.

He was later diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and controversially released from prison in August 2009, with an estimated three months to live, on compassionate grounds.

But Megrahi, who always proclaimed his innocence, proved medical experts wrong and finally died in Tripoli on Sunday at the age of 60, his son said.

Mr MacAskill, who was tasked with making the decision on Megrahi's release, said: "I said at the time that it was a privilege to hold the position of Justice Secretary in the Scottish Government.

"I did so without fear or favour, I did so following the rules and laws that we have in Scotland, based upon the evidence provided.

"It was the right decision for the right reasons."

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Flappergirl30s
7 Fans
08:48 PM on 05/21/2012
The Scottish government did the right thing.
Even the father of a Lockerbie victim saw his version of justice.
I personally dont think Al-Megrahi was the bomber...but thats just my opinion.
I think theres more to justice than just thinking the USA is right in every thing that happens regarding the USA.
The USA seem to think they are right no matter what happens in the world.
Same as i dont think Bin Laden was all of a sudden killled and "buried" at sea.
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rbanks53350
5 Fans
10:33 PM on 05/21/2012
are right there he is still alive in saudia
with 2 new wives
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flyingscott
64 Fans
04:22 PM on 05/21/2012
The Scottish Govt, could do no less. The International pressure on the court, to find a suitable scapegoat guilty, is a stain on the Scottish legal system, but the architects of the stich up were the Westminster Establishment, under pressure from Washington.
It really doesn't take a giant leap in the imagination, knowing that Megrahi's appeal would exonorate him, to arrive at the question's, if Libya were not responsible, who was ?
With the investigation still open, with Dumfries police, this could lead to very dark corners.
The C-Span report to congress had got as far as naming the Iranian paymaster, prior to the dodgy evidence and unreliable, paid star witness ( described as an apple short of a picnic by one of the trial judges)
The USSRs proxy were slightly miffed about a US missile downing an Airbus full of Allahs people 4 months prior to Lockerbie. (the plane was diverted, for legitimate reasons, should have been over the Atlantic)
Assuming Libyan innocence, its either,
Iran, paying a palestinian organisation to do the dirty, as the likely.. or
Some hitherto unknown, suitably motivated group, or state.
Which, logic leaves us wondering, did Gadaffi order it ? If not, and the Americans know this, why?
A stand off in the middle east between the USSR sponsored Iran & the USA, which could escalate horribly, might motivate such a cover up.
Which leaves the question's, when were London & Washington aware ? Was Lockerbie the price, eye for eye ?.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Hugh Albert
Moderation in somethings
70 Fans
03:55 PM on 05/21/2012
Highly unlikely that MacAskill would say anything other than that he was correct in all aspects of his decision. He is not noted to be a shrinking violet.
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