Washington - U.S. Senators Urge British Government To Investigate Release Of Libya's Convicted Terrorist Who is Still Alive |
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News Source: Press Release
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In this FILE photo: Convicted Lockerbie PanAm airline bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi (in wheelchair) is visited in Tripoli Central Hospital by a delegation of African parliamentarians in Tripoli 09 September 2009. EPA/SABRI ELMHEDWIWashington - With new reports that Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi is still alive nearly a year after the cancer-stricken terrorist was released on compassionate grounds based on medical evaluation that he had only three months left to live, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) are urging the British government to conduct a full investigation into the Scottish court’s decision to release the convicted terrorist. The Senators expressed concern directly to the British Ambassador to the United States that the Lockerbie bomber, who only served eight years of a life sentence and could now live for another decade, may have been released based on fraudulent medical evidence.
“There is clear reason to believe that this terrorist was released based on false information about his health,” said Senator Schumer. “This is especially galling to those of us who believed he shouldn’t have been released even if it had been true that his death was imminent.”
“The latest reports are extremely troubling,” said Senator Gillibrand. We, in the United States, opposed the decision by the Scottish court to release Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi. Justice was not served and the families of Pan Am Flight 103 were forced to relive the horrific loss of their loved ones. Megrahi should serve his full sentence and spend the rest of his days in prison.”
“I was outraged when Mr. al-Megrahi was released from prison and it is sickening that this convicted terrorist may have been released under false pretenses,” said Senator Lautenberg. “This terrorist belongs in prison and these allegations must be investigated promptly. As always, my thoughts remain with the families of the victims of Pan Am 103 as they relive this tragedy.”
In their letter to British Ambassador to the United States Nigel Sheinwald, the Senators noted the public allegations that the Lockerbie bomber’s release was motivated by business and political factors. News reports have also alleged that the Libyan government commissioned one of the doctors to make the inaccurate three-month prognosis of the Lockerbie bomber in order to secure his freedom.
In 2001, Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 11 on the ground and all 259 on board, including 189 Americans, many of whom were New Yorkers and New Jersey residents.
On August 20, 2009, the Scottish Government released Al-Megrahi, based on grounds that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and only had three months to live. Upon his return to Libya, the terrorist received a hero’s welcome. Senators Gillibrand, Schumer, Lautenberg, and Menendez condemned his release and demanded an apology from the Libyan government in a Senate resolution passed last year.
Recent reports now reveal that the Lockerbie bomber outlived his three-month prognosis and, according to one of the doctors, could live for another 10 years or more.
Full text of the letter is below:
July 7, 2010
His Excellency Sir Nigel Sheinwald
Ambassador of the United Kingdom
3100 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20008
Excellency:
We are very troubled by the press reports this weekend that the 2009 release from jail by a Scottish justice on compassionate grounds of Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi, was based on potentially fraudulent evidence. Our governments share a concern for the increased incidence of terrorist attacks against our countries and citizens. We are certain that we would all be concerned if it turns out that a convicted terrorist were released based on inaccurate evidence.
As you know, Mr. Al-Megrahi was the only one sentenced in connection with a shocking terrorist attack, impacting both of our countries. A number of our constituents continue to bear the emotional scars and financial burden of losing their loved ones in that attack on Pan Am 103 twenty-two years ago. It was of some consolation to them that at least one culprit was brought to justice.
Close to one year ago, the Scottish court released Mr. Al-Megrahi on the basis of a doctor’s opinion that the Libyan attacker had only 3 months left to live. He had served only eight years of a life sentence. We raised concerns at the time of his release, specifically Libya’s unseemly reception for a convicted murderer and his lack of remorse for his actions.
Mr. Al-Megrahi is still alive and reportedly living in luxury. Furthermore this week, the doctor responsible for the key medical opinion has told the media that not only could Mr. Al-Megrahi live another 10 years, but that the Libyan government had commissioned the doctor to make his assessment, expressly because the Libyan government hoped for a 3-month prognosis. This is outrageous.
These newly revealed details threaten to undermine public trust in due process and justice for the victims of terrorism. Unfortunately, allegations are circulating in the media that the release may have been motivated by political and business considerations. If true, this would significantly undermine the ability of countries that practice the rule of law to bring future terrorists to justice.
We urgently request that a full, transparent and appropriate investigation be conducted into whether all appropriate judicial steps were followed, and whether any inappropriate considerations were part of the judicial decision to release Mr. Al-Megrahi.
We appreciate the concern that this must raise for both of our governments and our constituents and hope to hear from you soon about this matter.
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Read Comments (12) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 07, 2010 at 07:19 PM clear thinker Says:Report as Inappropriate
Think back to when this misjustice occurred. Anyone following the case knew, or should have known, that the Scotttish and British governments were acting on political and business interests. The murderer was hailed as a hero in Libya, by both the government and the people.
Libya was and is a terrorist state. One can only hope that this murderer lives whatever the rest of his life is in pain and misery.
2
Jul 07, 2010 at 07:35 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Anyone who thinks that the Scottish or British government was acting for political reasons is quite stupid and narrow-minded. Some Americans don't realise other countries have different legal systems to their own. Anyone who investigates the Scottish legal system would realise that the release of a convict in these circumstances are completely normal, and when medical advice was given saying he had only 3 months to live, they couldn't keep him in prison without having a very good reason to.
3
Jul 07, 2010 at 07:59 PM Common Sense Says:Report as Inappropriate
Obama's implied complacency is shocking and so unpatriotic. I believe Bush would have had the CIA take care of him. Smart or not, Bush cared.
4
Jul 07, 2010 at 09:45 PM Milhouse Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Anyone who thinks that the Scottish or British government was acting for political reasons is quite stupid and narrow-minded. Some Americans don't realise other countries have different legal systems to their own. Anyone who investigates the Scottish legal system would realise that the release of a convict in these circumstances are completely normal, and when medical advice was given saying he had only 3 months to live, they couldn't keep him in prison without having a very good reason to. ”
Oh, bulldust. You don't believe that twaddle any more than I do. You know perfectly well what happened, and are just pretending otherwise because you don't want to face it. Who gave this "medical advice"? How much were they paid for it? What inquiry did the court make before accepting it?
5
Jul 07, 2010 at 11:10 PM clear thinker Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Anyone who thinks that the Scottish or British government was acting for political reasons is quite stupid and narrow-minded. Some Americans don't realise other countries have different legal systems to their own. Anyone who investigates the Scottish legal system would realise that the release of a convict in these circumstances are completely normal, and when medical advice was given saying he had only 3 months to live, they couldn't keep him in prison without having a very good reason to. ”
I realize that different governments have different legal systems. I would suggest that you look at the British economic ties with Libya just before and after the release. The rush to get Al-Magrabi out of Britain was at best questionable and unseemly. I won't bother to answer your personal attacks since it seems clear from whence they come.
6
Jul 07, 2010 at 11:19 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Thre judge was probably drunk. I hope America is smart enough to never do another favor for scotland. I think we should start puting sanctions and have the un do an investigation on scotland. This judge released a terrorist, i mean a terrorist that killed single handly around 300 people, that in all books makes this judge a terrorist.
7
Jul 07, 2010 at 11:52 PM Loshon Hora Says:Report as Inappropriate
Here in the US the doctor would get 800 years, but the terorrist would probably also go free.
8
Jul 08, 2010 at 08:10 AM cool masmid Says:Report as Inappropriate
This guy is a mass murderer and he should have been hung from his 'you know what'. If I could tell the British Government when and where to show their compassion its not to a mass murderer. How some people(and governments) have no value for human life.
9
Jul 08, 2010 at 08:51 AM Conservative One Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Anyone who thinks that the Scottish or British government was acting for political reasons is quite stupid and narrow-minded. Some Americans don't realise other countries have different legal systems to their own. Anyone who investigates the Scottish legal system would realise that the release of a convict in these circumstances are completely normal, and when medical advice was given saying he had only 3 months to live, they couldn't keep him in prison without having a very good reason to. ”
you're right. Their legal system is spelled O-I-L and ifd you believe that they did for any other reason, you are hopelessly naive. Every sane person who saw this lowlife murderer get off the plane in Lybia knew that he was not dying any time soon. The Bais Din shel Maalah will take care of him and he joins all of his terrorists friend in Gehenom.
10
Jul 08, 2010 at 10:47 AM Sweet Adolin Says:Report as Inappropriate
Perhaps he will now be a target of the Mossad.
11
Jul 08, 2010 at 11:39 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
We need a new president to start taking care of American Interest again. It's ashame that the senators has to be busy with this because we got a president just worring why turkey isn't part of the EU and still trying to chanfeh his muslim bretherin.
12
Jul 08, 2010 at 12:38 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
The #11 comment is refering to an article in Reuters named "Obama sees Turkey turning eastward if snubbed by EU"