Scotland releases the Lockerbie mass murderer after 8 years in prison

posted at 12:15 pm on August 20, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

It took more than a decade to get Abdel Baset al-Megrahi to trial in Scotland to face charges of mass murder in the bombing of a Pan Am jet that killed 259 people in the air and 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie.  Convicted of the murders, Megrahi got sentenced to life imprisonment, but as it turns out, Megrahi will serve less than 12 days for each murder.  Scotland has agreed to release Megrahi on “compassionate” grounds:

Scotland’s government freed the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds Thursday, allowing him to die at home in Libya despite American protests that mercy should not be shown to the man responsible for the deaths of 270 people.

The White House said it “deeply regrets” Scotland’s move minutes after the decision was announced.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said Abdel Baset al-Megrahi’s condition had deteriorated from prostate cancer. Al-Megrahi had only served some eight years of a life sentence, but MacAskill said he was bound by Scottish values to release him.

Many of the victims were American, including four intelligence officers on Pan Am 103.  How did the Obama administration react to the release of the man who murdered them?  Rather passively:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton phoned MacAskill before the announcement, urging him not to release al-Megrahi, and seven U.S. senators wrote a letter with a similar message.

In Washington, Obama administration officials said Scottish authorities had not formally notified them that al-Megrahi would be released. But they said the administration was working on the assumption that he would be. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the delicate diplomacy involved and the sensitive nature of the case.

Supposedly, Megrahi only has three months to live, and the Scots want to give him the opportunity to spend his last few days with his family.  I suppose the families of Megrahi’s 270 victims would have liked that, too.  Too bad Megrahi never gave them that chance.

The Scots say that they treated him according to Scotland’s values.  Apparently, they value innocent life at around 11.57 days, which is the number that Megrahi served for each person he murdered in that terrorist attack.  If we don’t value innocent life more than that, how exactly does that make us different from thugs like Megrahi?

Tags: , , ,

Related Posts:

Breaking on Hot Air

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

Trackbacks/Pings

Trackback URL

Comments

Comment pages: 1 2 3

Only a fool projects his own ignorance to others…

tommylotto on August 20, 2009 at 2:50 PM

Sounds like what you’re doing, right about now. I simply said you don’t know the full details, and cannot, therefore, speak authoratatively. You, on the other hand, respond by launching personal attacks. Grow up.

Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 3:01 PM

He should have been left to rot and die alone in jail. The British judicial system is an joke and now an insult to all those that died that terrible night.

As a Brit, I am thoroughly ashamed and I can only apologise for my stupid, ignorant country. The sooner I can become a US citizen the better I will feel. I now live in a country that is trouble yes, but one I am truly proud of and love with all my heart.

Dino64 on August 20, 2009 at 1:16 PM

Bless your heart, Dino, and we’re proud to have you as a new American citizen. We also have things to be ashamed of in our legal system, and especially in the current administration.

Let’s hope that Britain will experience a “renaissance”, so that they can be called “Great” again.

atheling on August 20, 2009 at 3:13 PM

Everybody dies of something . Do regular killers get a few months out before they bite it ?

borntoraisehogs on August 20, 2009 at 3:25 PM

Give him a pain pill and send him back to the rock pile.

Tommy_G on August 20, 2009 at 12:49 PM

Pain pill?

You are more kind than I. :)

RDuke on August 20, 2009 at 3:31 PM

Only a fool projects his own ignorance to others…
tommylotto on August 20, 2009 at 2:50 PM

Sounds like what you’re doing, right about now. I simply said you don’t know the full details…
Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 3:01 PM

No actually, you said:

I don’t know the details, and you probablby don’t either.
Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 1:56 PM

You admitted that you did not know what you were talking about, and merely because you were ignorant of the facts, you assumed that I too did not know what I was talking about. That is the assumption of a fool.

tommylotto on August 20, 2009 at 3:42 PM

My idea of compassion is to string him up by his thumbs to encourage him to die in less than three months so he wouln’t have to live with his prostate problem for as long.

burt on August 20, 2009 at 3:46 PM

There needs to be a “multi-jurisdictional task force” set up to go over and assist him in his “demise”….like now.

utbw42 on August 20, 2009 at 4:02 PM

How did the Obama administration react to the release of the man who murdered them? Rather passively

LOL, not according to Wolfman on CNN, who just said that the O’bama Administration worked “very hard” to prevent his release.

Whatever you say, Wolfman.

Del Dolemonte on August 20, 2009 at 4:06 PM

You admitted that you did not know what you were talking about, and merely because you were ignorant of the facts, you assumed that I too did not know what I was talking about. That is the assumption of a fool.

tommylotto on August 20, 2009 at 3:42 PM

And which further proves your asininity. Unless you were there, unless you’ve read the documentation, or unless you were involved somehow, you don’t know the full story, and possibly not even the real one. Get over it, and get over yourself. I also notice that in all the time you’ve spent insulting me, you’ve never once disclosed that you do know the full story of what you’re talking about. Probably a reason for that. I’m tired of this, and I’m tired of you, now. Bother someone else, because I’ve read enough of your crap.

Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM

Cases are approached on merit, not emotional value.

Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 1:03 PM

Unless you’re a “lawyer” like Ramsey Clark.

Del Dolemonte on August 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM

There needs to be a “multi-jurisdictional task force” set up to go over and assist him in his “demise”….like now.

utbw42 on August 20, 2009 at 4:02 PM

Multi-jurisdictional task forces are for NWO liberals. All we need is the USS Ronald Reagan, a pair of F/A-18E/Fs Super Hornets and an EA-6B Prowler. First the plane carrying him home would disappear, then it would reappear as flaming wreckage, cascading down on a Libyan city. Don’t catch him in the air? Then we have another solution: the 5th SFG (Special Forces Group) &/or the 75th Ranger Regiment. No foreigners needed.

Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Unless you’re a “lawyer” like Ramsey Clark.

Del Dolemonte on August 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM

I wonder what Jerry Rivers was like as a shyster?

Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Just saw footage of this piece of crap getting a hero’s welcome in Libya.

Thanks, Scotland!/

Disturb the Universe on August 20, 2009 at 4:25 PM

I wonder what Jerry Rivers was like as a shyster?

Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM

He was a lawyer for a PR gang in NY City called the Young Lords. That group originated in (surprise) Chicago, and modeled themselves after the Black Panthers.

Del Dolemonte on August 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM

Matters of justice and much-deserved revenge for the families of the victims aside, I have a BIG concern about this wacko being out of his cage. Namely, a CONFIRMED, CONVICTED, MURDEROUS Islamic terrorist is out of the hole he should have rotted in and is now among his friends/accomplices. Now, if his chemo and painkillers keep him vertical, he can strap some C4 to his ass and take out a few hundred more innocents on his way to see Allah. I mean, if he’s gonna croak anyhow, why wouldn’t he want to take as many infidels with him as possible? STUPID!! If it happens (God forbid!), it would be painfully poetic if he was able to sneak into Edinburgh for his finale. Incredible.

blueknight99 on August 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM

He was a lawyer for a PR gang in NY City called the Young Lords. That group originated in (surprise) Chicago, and modeled themselves after the Black Panthers.

Del Dolemonte on August 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM

I’m surprised, and yet I know I shouldn’t be.

Virus-X on August 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM

MY GOD! WHAT NEXT????

Please, God (before YOU are blacklisted via legislation) I hope that some “be calm, let us do this, and we will owe you one” deal WAS NOT MADE with President Obama concerning that toilet bowl water drinking rabid animal’s release.

The False Dervish on August 20, 2009 at 5:04 PM

This “compassionate release” lie is a thin veil for the real quid pro quo. The Lockerbie bomber’s release is one more payment on Kaddafi’s terrorist extortion demands that secured release of his prison raped and tortured EU nurse hostages.

FLASHBACK 2007: Qaddafi Wants Money and Lockerbie Attacker for Nurses’ Release

Muammar Qaddafi has officially stated his conditions for the release of the five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor sentenced to death in Libya, a website of the Libyan opposition claims.

Cited by the Bulgarian national radio, the site claims that Qaddafi has sent an official note to the EU country members and the US, requesting compensations for the families of the HIV-infected children and the release of the terrorist from Lockerbie… The UK should help with the release of the Lockerbie bomber, the note also says. He could be released because he has already served his sentence, or he could receive amnesty, or be extradited to Libya, Qaddafi suggests.

This bald-faced hostage extortion payoff does not bode well for Iran’s three American hostages.

/once again, terrorism pays… handsomely

Terp Mole on August 20, 2009 at 5:12 PM

And for the 259 People who were murdered by this coward were not entitled to a Compassionate Pass!

This is a Sad Day………

BigMike252 on August 20, 2009 at 5:13 PM

boycott scotland

maintenanceman on August 20, 2009 at 5:17 PM

So let’s add up some of Kaddafi’s jizya booty for prison raping EU nurses;

EU $400 million (includes Bulgaria’s $57M ransom)

French nuclear reactor deal (+ military hardware)

EU free trade (+ political normalization)

Brand new US Ambassador + date w/ Condi

An historic handshake and UN podium w/ Obama for Ramadan

Lockerbie bomber’s release… PRICELESS

[Oh yes, terrorism still pays... handsomely]

/Kaddafi delenda est

Terp Mole on August 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM

Scotland’s justice minister announced that he was being freed because he was suffering from terminal prostate cancer…

Is this compassion or just Rationing Health Care?

Pole-Cat on August 20, 2009 at 5:33 PM

So let’s add up some of Kaddafi’s jizya booty for prison raping EU nurses so far;

EU $400 million (includes Bulgaria’s $57M ransom)

French nuclear reactor deal (+ military hardware)

EU free trade (+ political normalization)

Brand new US Ambassador + date w/ Condi

A handshake and UN podium w/ Obama for Ramadan

Lockerbie bomber’s release… PRICELESS

[Oh yes, terrorism still pays... handsomely]

/Kaddafi delenda est

Terp Mole on August 20, 2009 at 5:38 PM

Naturally, Kaddafi will earn a standing ovation in New York next month at the Parliament of Thugs;

Another U.N. outrage: Gadhafi visits

Moammar Gadhafi just can’t buy himself a break. Despite spending billions trying to blot out Pan Am Flight 103′s bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people, the Libyan strongman still struggles to shed his blood-stained legacy.

In September Mr. Gadhafi will be given a world audience at — where else? — the United Nations during its annual session in New York. In fact, Gadhafi is scheduled to speak right after President Barack Obama.

This has outraged the families of Flight 103′s victims — among them, four Western Pennsylvanians who perished in the December 1988 jetliner bombing.

“I know our government is trying to get Libya back into the family of nations. I do not think that translates into welcoming a murderer,” Frank Duggan, president of the victims’ group, told The Times of London.

Yet their outrage is met by the smirk of a scoundrel. Instead of full disclosure, the “rehabilitated” Gadhafi sought first to limit Libya’s exposure to terrorist acts, then tried to get the lone Libyan agent convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, Abdel Basset al Megrahi, out of a Scottish prison. Libya recently applied for a “compassionate release” for Mr. Megrahi, who reportedly is dying of cancer.

Gadhafi has made clear his priorities. And it’s no surprise that the United Nations of world reprobates would give him a podium. The question is, does President Obama want to be his opening act?

Terp Mole on August 20, 2009 at 5:46 PM

Maybe a HELLFIRE can reach Lybia from Pakistan..

lasertex on August 20, 2009 at 6:02 PM

Really what can we expect, Scotland just did the exact same thing Obama did.

They let the Lockerbie bomber go and He let the Cole Bomber Go.

Its such a joke when he tries to say he didn’t agree with their decision

Rbastid on August 20, 2009 at 6:22 PM

Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat, a terrorist thats has no reasons to live. Just Great

the Coondawg on August 20, 2009 at 6:28 PM

oh, thank goodness for empathetic judges.

ndanielson on August 20, 2009 at 6:50 PM

I think we need to reiterate one of the Bush Doctrines (of course, the spineless Left never will) . . .

To Scotland . . . You’re either with us, or against us!

That used to mean something. . .

seanrobins on August 20, 2009 at 8:06 PM

Just saw the video of the “hero’s welcome” this scumbag received when he got to Libya.

Simply outrageous.

I can’t say what they means about the “people” of that country.

taznar on August 20, 2009 at 8:19 PM

So they will ban Micheal Savage, but release terrorist from prison? The UK has gone completely insane.

nazo311 on August 20, 2009 at 8:20 PM

No better argument for the death penalty, or an Obamadeath (TM) panel.

waelse1 on August 20, 2009 at 9:36 PM

How did the Obama administration react to the release of the man who murdered them?
Rather passively

I wouldn’t expect anything less than that from the Obama administration.

Why is that?
Farrakhan, Wright (Libya + Gaddhafi)
Ayers ( terrorism, kill Americans )
Khalidi ( Islamic terrorism, kill Americans )
Eric Holder ( defending terrorists as a lawyer, releasing them when in government )
BHO ( releasing USS Cole killers )

macncheez on August 20, 2009 at 10:05 PM

6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to
the grave in peace.

9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

Old Testament (1 Kings 2), but appropriate

didymus on August 21, 2009 at 1:04 AM

Comment pages: 1 2 3