Libya asks for Megrahi's release

Published on Saturday 25 July 2009 00:30

THE Libyan government has sent an application to Scottish ministers asking for the compassionate release of the Lockerbie bomber, it emerged last night.

Relatives of the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 were notified of the formal request made on behalf of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi yesterday.

Those who believe Megrahi is innocent have been campaigning for the move, on the basis he is suffering from terminal prostate cancer.

It is up to First Minister Alex Salmond and justice secretary Kenny MacAskill to decide whether the application should be granted.

If Scottish ministers agree to compassionate release, Megrahi would be freed from HMP Greenock and not be required to drop his on-going appeal against his conviction.

Scottish ministers are also considering an application on Megrahi's behalf for him to leave Scotland as part of a Prisoner Transfer Agreement signed by Britain and Libya when Tony Blair was prime minister.

Under the terms of the agreement, Megrahi, convicted in 2001, would have to drop his appeal.

An e-mail sent yesterday from the Crown Office to relatives of those who died said: "It has been confirmed that the Scottish Government has today received an application for compassionate release on behalf of Megrahi.

"We understand that this application will now be considered by the Scottish Government in tandem with the previous application for Prisoner Transfer."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "We can confirm an application for compassionate release has been made by Mr al-Megrahi, and forwarded by the Libyan government to the Scottish ministers.

"Scottish ministers will not comment on the content of the application and will now seek advice on the application."