{"id":28999,"date":"2025-02-27T04:20:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T09:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=28999"},"modified":"2025-02-27T04:20:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T09:20:28","slug":"lawyers-bid-to-postpone-lockerbie-bombing-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2025\/02\/27\/lawyers-bid-to-postpone-lockerbie-bombing-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawyers bid to postpone Lockerbie bombing trial"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">The trial of a Libyan suspect in the Lockerbie bombing, which was due to start in the United States in May, could be postponed following a request from the prosecution and defence.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Abu Agila Masud Al-Marimi has been accused of\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-64574171\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">making the bomb<\/a>\u00a0that brought down Pan Am 103 in 1988, causing the deaths of 270 people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">His trial was due to get under way in Washington on 12 May but the US government and the defence have asked for it to be called off meantime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Referred to as Masud by Scottish and American investigators, the Libyan is alleged to have confessed to making the device which exploded in the airliner&#8217;s hold as it flew from London to New York.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A motion filed by government prosecutors asked for the scheduled start date to be set aside due to Masud&#8217;s ill health and the complexity of the case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-12l5xzx-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\" data-component=\"links-block\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-1y914pf-InContentLinksGrid e3eyuya3\" role=\"list\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cx2y2wgr9eko\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Lockerbie relatives unable to view trial from home<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-67659046\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Lockerbie bombing: The ultimate detective story?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-63953012\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">An atrocity that caused heartbreak around the world<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Libyan is in his seventies and has been receiving treatment for what&#8217;s understood to be a non-life threatening health condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In December the District Court of the District of Columbia was told that Masud&#8217;s health condition would cause a delay of 90-120 days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Prosecutors say that based on &#8220;additional information,&#8221; it appear there will be &#8220;additional delay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The lawyers have asked for extra time to prepare a revised pretrial schedule and set a new starting date.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The US government is also continuing the process of providing the defence with copies of the material and evidence it plans to use at the trial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">If the trial judge grants the request, a status hearing on the case will be held next month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ey0461q0\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-sft8a2-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7905\/live\/f8b558f0-f49a-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg 976w\" alt=\"A lone police officer walks past the wreckage of Flight Pan Am 103, which came down in a field over Lockerbie\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-179o3th-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-y7krbn-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Lockerbie bombing on 21 December 1988 remains the deadliest terrorist attack on British soil (Image: AFP)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The FBI says Masud was a Libyan intelligence agent who acted alongside Abdelbasset Al-Megrahi, his fellow countryman who was convicted of murdering the 270 victims after\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-34541363\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">standing trial at a Scottish court in the Netherlands<\/a>\u00a0more than two decades ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The bomb was concealed in a radio cassette player in a Samsonite suitcase and then smuggled on board a flight from Malta on the morning of 21 December 1988.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The unaccompanied bag was transferred onto a Pan Am feeder flight from Frankfurt to London, where it was loaded onto Pan Am 103.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Masud is said to have told a Libyan law enforcement official that the country&#8217;s dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi later thanked him for carrying out &#8220;a great national duty against the Americans&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The confession is alleged to have been made in 2012 while Masud was in custody in Libya following the uprising against Gaddafi&#8217;s regime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"Not-guilty-plea\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Not guilty plea<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The grandfather was removed from his home in Tripoli by a militia group in November 2022 and handed over to the US authorities in circumstances which have yet to be fully explained.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Faced with a backlash from opposition politicians, the prime minister of Libya&#8217;s internationally backed Government of National Unity Abdul Hami Dbeibeh said they had been complying with a request issued through Interpol.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Masud\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-64574171\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pleaded not guilty to the charges<\/a>\u00a0after appearing in court in Washington in December 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Lockerbie bombing has been the subject of renewed public attention in the run-up to Masud&#8217;s trial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A Sky TV drama starring Colin Firth as the father of one of the British victims\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cn012g8xlyzo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attracted controversy<\/a>, and a BBC\/Netflix production is to be aired later this year.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cn4yy7zl8vpo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">The trial of a Libyan suspect in the Lockerbie bombing, which was due to start in the United States in May, could be postponed following a request from the prosecution and defence. Abu Agila Masud <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2025\/02\/27\/lawyers-bid-to-postpone-lockerbie-bombing-trial\/\" title=\"Lawyers bid to postpone Lockerbie bombing trial\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[109,2,4,3],"tags":[2971,1172,2641,3795,1077,5468,10714,3628],"class_list":{"0":"post-28999","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headline","8":"category-news","9":"category-uk","10":"category-usa","11":"tag-bombing","12":"tag-fbi","13":"tag-libya","14":"tag-lockerbie","15":"tag-scotland","16":"tag-tripoli","17":"tag-us-district-court-for-the-district-of-columbia","18":"tag-washington-dc","19":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28999"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29001,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28999\/revisions\/29001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}