Free Lockerbie bomber, Kirk urges

Published on Sunday 9 August 2009 21:59

THE Church of Scotland has called on the government to free the Lockerbie bomber from prison.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, who was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people in 1988, has terminal prostate cancer.

The Kirk has shocked families of those killed in Britain's worst terrorist atrocity by urging justice secretary Kenny MacAskill to free him on compassionate grounds. The Rev Ian Galloway, convener of the church and society council, appealed to the government after medical reports suggested the Libyan may only have weeks to live.

Mr Galloway said: "We have to continue to feel hugely for the families of those who died in the Lockerbie bombing. Nonetheless, the compassionate response would be to release Mr Megrahi."

Bob Monetti, of New Jersey, whose son Rick was among the victims, said: "This is nonsense. This is the first word I have ever heard from the Church of Scotland in 21 years. They didn't send us any condolences."