Who was Abdelbaset al-Megrahi?

According to Scottish police, a Libyan man who is suspected of creating the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie 34 years ago is being held in American custody.

Two years ago, the US brought charges against Abu Agila Masud, stating that he was instrumental in the attack on December 21, 1988.

Also read: What happened to the Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1998?

270 persons were killed in the Boeing 747 explosion.

The terrorist attack was the bloodiest to occur on British territory.

The jumbo jet’s 259 passengers and crew perished on the flight from London to New York, while 11 more people perished in Lockerbie when their homes were demolished by the wreckage.

Also read: Lockerbie bombing death toll and investigation: All you need to know

Who was Abdelbaset al-Megrahi?

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was a Libyan intelligence officer and the only person convicted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The bombing killed all 259 passengers and crew on board, as well as 11 people on the ground.

Al-Megrahi was born in Tripoli, Libya in 1952. He joined the Libyan military in 1971 and later worked for Libyan Arab Airlines and the Libyan intelligence service. In 1991, he was charged with the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and was tried in a Scottish court in 2000. After a lengthy trial, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Also read: Who is Lamin Khalifah Fhimah?

In 2009, al-Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds due to his terminal prostate cancer. He returned to Libya where he died in 2012.

The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was a terrorist attack that shocked the world. The plane was en route from London to New York when it exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. The investigation into the bombing was complex and spanned several years.

Initially, the Libyan government was blamed for the attack and was subjected to economic sanctions. However, it was not until 1999 that two Libyan nationals were charged in connection with the bombing. Al-Megrahi was one of these individuals and was found guilty in 2000.

Also read: Where is Lockerbie?

The trial and conviction of al-Megrahi was met with controversy. Many questioned the fairness of the trial and the reliability of the evidence against him. Some even claimed that he was a scapegoat for the Libyan government.

Despite the controversy surrounding his conviction, al-Megrahi remained in prison until 2009 when he was released on compassionate grounds. His release sparked outrage among many, including the families of the victims.

After his release, al-Megrahi returned to Libya where he died in 2012. His death marked the end of a long and complicated case that continues to be shrouded in mystery and controversy.