Outrage: Lockerbie bomber released from jail, blew up Pan Am 103 over Scotland in 1988- killing 270

August 20, 11:34 AMJacksonville Republican ExaminerPatrick McMahon

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A picture of the wreckage of Pan Am 103 and of the recently released bomber

The news today was both outrageous and shocking, that a Scottish judge has allowed the convicted Pan Am 103 bomber out of jail for “compassionate reasons” because he was suffering from terminal cancer. Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of the Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. All told, 259 people died on the flight, including 189 Americans and another 11 on the ground in Scotland. At the time, the bombing of Pan Am 103 was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history and sparked international outrage over the extensive loss of innocent life.

Libyan intelligence agents turned out to be behind the attack and al-Megrahi was extradited to the United Kingdom in 2001 where he was sentenced to 27 years to life for the bombing. He was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer last year and petitioned the court for compassionate release. It was finally given to him and he left Scotland today on a private plane. The statements by the majority of the families today are against the release of this man and our government has also stated that they are against it. The White House, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Attorney General Eric Holder all came out with statements today opposing the release of the Lockerbie Bomber.

I have to say that I am also outraged by this decision. This man is an unrepentant terrorist. Not once has he shown any compassion for the friends and loved ones of those killed, but he demanded a release from jail for “compassionate reasons.” Typically, the families of the victims would have a say in this process and from their public statements, they did not have a role. Americans represented more than half of the victims, but this our opinions were not taken into consideration apparently.  This man gets to go free after serving only 8 years for a terrorist attack that killed 270 people. Where is the justice in that? The judge that set him free is an idiot and people who feel that he should be free in his last few weeks to be with his loved ones are clearly not interested in justice. This man shouldn’t have even had time to be diagnosed with cancer. He should have either been executed for his crimes or we should have sent in the Special Ops to deal with him. Al-Megrahi should be on his way to Guantanamo Bay, not Libya, for the pain and suffering that he has caused hundreds of people. This is truly an example of a miscarriage of justice. 

Here is a clip of footage of the news of al-Megrahi's release and background on the case: