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Lockerbie Bomber Hailed As Hero In Tripoli
Abdel Baset al-Megrahi Released On Compassionate Grounds; Scottish Government Under Fire From All Over Globe
"This is absolutely ludicrous and insane," said Bert Ammermann, whose brother was killed on the PanAm flight.
To many, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi ascending the stairs of an Airbus jet for the flight back to Libya represents either a miscarriage of justice or the death of the truth in the 1988 terrorist bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.
"Compassion and mercy are about upholding the beliefs that we seek to live by remaining true to our values of the people, no matter the severity of the provocation or the atrocity perpetrated," said Kenny MacAskill, Scotland's Justice Secretary.
The Associated Press reported thousands greeted al-Megrahi warmly when his plane from Scotland touched down at a military airport in Tripoli. Reports cited a festive atmosphere at the scene with some wearing t-shirts with al-Megrahi's picture. Others waved Libyan and Scottish flags while Libyan songs blared.
"To sit there and watch a victory convoy going to the airport … this is absolutely ludicrous and insane," said Ammermann. "We couldn't finish with even one individual? That he finished his life and his body was sent back? State terrorism won today. Big business won today."
The White House said it "deeply regrets" the Scottish decision, and U.S. family members immediately expressed outrage.
Al-Megrahi, who had served only eight years of his life sentence, was recently given only months to live after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. His time served amounts to about two weeks in prison for every person he killed.
Al-Megrahi has never expressed remorse for the attack, an in fact insists he had nothing to do with it. Many in the United Kingdom seem to agree and applaud the release.
"I am pleased for him because I am 85 percent convinced that he is not guilty, having sat through the whole trial in Holland, 10 months," said Rev. John Mosey, whose daughter was killed in the attack.
MacAskill said although al-Megrahi had not shown compassion to his victims - many of whom were American college students flying home to New York for Christmas - MacAskill was motivated by Scottish values to show mercy.
"In Scotland, we define ourselves by our humanity," MacAskill said. "Mr. al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion."
"That alone is not a reason to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days. Our justice system demands that justice be imposed but compassion be available. Our beliefs dictate that justice be shown and mercy be served," MacAskill said.
"Some hurts can never heal, some scars can never fade," MacAskill said. "Those who have been bereaved cannot be expected to forget, let alone forgive ... However, Mr. al-Megrahi now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power."
Al-Megrahi, 57, was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. He was sentenced to life in prison. The airliner exploded over Scotland, and all 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground died when it crashed into the town of Lockerbie.
The former Libyan intelligence officer was sentenced to serve a minimum of 27 years in a Scottish prison for Britain's deadliest terrorist attack. But a 2007 review of his case found grounds for an appeal of his conviction, and many in Britain believe he is innocent.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the U.S. expressed its opposition to the decision "in the strongest terms possible," reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.
"We continue to believe that Megrahi should serve out his sentence in Scotland," Gibbs said. "On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones."
A White House official tells CBS News that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Attorney General Eric Holder were among those to directly convey to the U.K. and to Scottish authorities the view al-Megrahi should serve out his term in Scotland, reports CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer.
MacAskill said he stood by al-Megrahi's conviction and the sentence for "the worst terrorist atrocity ever committed on U.K. soil."
He said he ruled out sending the bomber back to Libya under a prisoner-transfer agreement, saying the U.S. victims had been given assurances that al-Megrahi would serve out his sentence in Scotland.
But he said that as a prisoner given less than three months to live by doctors, al-Megrahi was eligible for compassionate release.
"I am conscious that there are deeply held feelings and many will disagree whatever my decision," he said. "However, a decision has to be made."
The families of some American victims lashed out.
"I think it's appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it," said Susan Cohen of Cape May Court House, N.J., whose 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, died in the attack. "This isn't about compassionate release. This is part of give-Gadhafi-what-he-wants-so-we-can-have-the-oil."
"I don't understand how the Scots can show compassion. It's an utter insult and utterly disgusting," said Kara Weipz, of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, whose 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was on board Pan Am Flight 103. "It's horrible. I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse."
The Times of London reported Thursday that the private jet of Libya's leader, Moammar Gadhafi, was to collect al-Megrahi at Glasgow Airport after he was released.
Al-Megrahi's trial and conviction led to a major shift in Libya's relationship with the West.
Gadhafi engineered a rapprochement with his former critics following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He renounced terrorism, dismantled Libya's secret nuclear program, accepted his government's responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and paid compensation to the victims' families.
Western energy companies - including Britain's BP PLC - have moved into Libya in an effort to tap the country's vast oil and gas wealth.
Gadhafi has lobbied for the return of al-Megrahi, an issue which took on an added sense of urgency when he was diagnosed with cancer last year. His lawyers say his condition is deteriorating and doctors have given him less than three months to live.
The question of freeing al-Megrahi has divided Lockerbie families, with many in Britain in favor of setting him free and many in the U.S. adamantly opposed.
British Rev. John Mosey, whose daughter Helga, 19, died in the attack, said Wednesday he would be glad to see al-Megrahi return home.
"It is right he should go home to die in dignity with his family. I believe it is our Christian duty to show mercy," he said.
Abdel Baset al-Megrahi Released On Compassionate Grounds; Scottish Government Under Fire From All Over Globe
"This is absolutely ludicrous and insane," said Bert Ammermann, whose brother was killed on the PanAm flight.
To many, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi ascending the stairs of an Airbus jet for the flight back to Libya represents either a miscarriage of justice or the death of the truth in the 1988 terrorist bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.
"Compassion and mercy are about upholding the beliefs that we seek to live by remaining true to our values of the people, no matter the severity of the provocation or the atrocity perpetrated," said Kenny MacAskill, Scotland's Justice Secretary.
The Associated Press reported thousands greeted al-Megrahi warmly when his plane from Scotland touched down at a military airport in Tripoli. Reports cited a festive atmosphere at the scene with some wearing t-shirts with al-Megrahi's picture. Others waved Libyan and Scottish flags while Libyan songs blared.
"To sit there and watch a victory convoy going to the airport … this is absolutely ludicrous and insane," said Ammermann. "We couldn't finish with even one individual? That he finished his life and his body was sent back? State terrorism won today. Big business won today."
The White House said it "deeply regrets" the Scottish decision, and U.S. family members immediately expressed outrage.
Al-Megrahi, who had served only eight years of his life sentence, was recently given only months to live after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. His time served amounts to about two weeks in prison for every person he killed.
Al-Megrahi has never expressed remorse for the attack, an in fact insists he had nothing to do with it. Many in the United Kingdom seem to agree and applaud the release.
"I am pleased for him because I am 85 percent convinced that he is not guilty, having sat through the whole trial in Holland, 10 months," said Rev. John Mosey, whose daughter was killed in the attack.
MacAskill said although al-Megrahi had not shown compassion to his victims - many of whom were American college students flying home to New York for Christmas - MacAskill was motivated by Scottish values to show mercy.
"In Scotland, we define ourselves by our humanity," MacAskill said. "Mr. al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion."
"That alone is not a reason to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days. Our justice system demands that justice be imposed but compassion be available. Our beliefs dictate that justice be shown and mercy be served," MacAskill said.
"Some hurts can never heal, some scars can never fade," MacAskill said. "Those who have been bereaved cannot be expected to forget, let alone forgive ... However, Mr. al-Megrahi now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power."
Al-Megrahi, 57, was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. He was sentenced to life in prison. The airliner exploded over Scotland, and all 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground died when it crashed into the town of Lockerbie.
The former Libyan intelligence officer was sentenced to serve a minimum of 27 years in a Scottish prison for Britain's deadliest terrorist attack. But a 2007 review of his case found grounds for an appeal of his conviction, and many in Britain believe he is innocent.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the U.S. expressed its opposition to the decision "in the strongest terms possible," reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.
"We continue to believe that Megrahi should serve out his sentence in Scotland," Gibbs said. "On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones."
A White House official tells CBS News that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Attorney General Eric Holder were among those to directly convey to the U.K. and to Scottish authorities the view al-Megrahi should serve out his term in Scotland, reports CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer.
MacAskill said he stood by al-Megrahi's conviction and the sentence for "the worst terrorist atrocity ever committed on U.K. soil."
He said he ruled out sending the bomber back to Libya under a prisoner-transfer agreement, saying the U.S. victims had been given assurances that al-Megrahi would serve out his sentence in Scotland.
But he said that as a prisoner given less than three months to live by doctors, al-Megrahi was eligible for compassionate release.
"I am conscious that there are deeply held feelings and many will disagree whatever my decision," he said. "However, a decision has to be made."
The families of some American victims lashed out.
"I think it's appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it," said Susan Cohen of Cape May Court House, N.J., whose 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, died in the attack. "This isn't about compassionate release. This is part of give-Gadhafi-what-he-wants-so-we-can-have-the-oil."
"I don't understand how the Scots can show compassion. It's an utter insult and utterly disgusting," said Kara Weipz, of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, whose 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was on board Pan Am Flight 103. "It's horrible. I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse."
The Times of London reported Thursday that the private jet of Libya's leader, Moammar Gadhafi, was to collect al-Megrahi at Glasgow Airport after he was released.
Al-Megrahi's trial and conviction led to a major shift in Libya's relationship with the West.
Gadhafi engineered a rapprochement with his former critics following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He renounced terrorism, dismantled Libya's secret nuclear program, accepted his government's responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and paid compensation to the victims' families.
Western energy companies - including Britain's BP PLC - have moved into Libya in an effort to tap the country's vast oil and gas wealth.
Gadhafi has lobbied for the return of al-Megrahi, an issue which took on an added sense of urgency when he was diagnosed with cancer last year. His lawyers say his condition is deteriorating and doctors have given him less than three months to live.
The question of freeing al-Megrahi has divided Lockerbie families, with many in Britain in favor of setting him free and many in the U.S. adamantly opposed.
British Rev. John Mosey, whose daughter Helga, 19, died in the attack, said Wednesday he would be glad to see al-Megrahi return home.
"It is right he should go home to die in dignity with his family. I believe it is our Christian duty to show mercy," he said.
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