kill 270, do 8 years

[Kratos]

EDINBURGH, Scotland - Scotland freed the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds Thursday, allowing the terminally ill man to die in his homeland of Libya and rejecting American pleas for justice in the attack that killed 270 people.

The White House said it "deeply regrets" the Scottish government's decision, and U.S. family members immediately expressed outrage.

Wearing a white Nike baseball cap, a scarf that covered most of his face and walking with the aid of a wooden cane, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi boarded a plane at Glasgow Airport at around 3.10 p.m. local time (10.10 a.m. EDT). The flight departed about 15 minutes later. Al-Megrahi was expected to land in Tripoli later Thursday.

The Times of London reported that the private jet of Libya's leader, Moammar Gadhafi, had been sent to collect al-Megrahi.

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.

'Some scars can never fade'
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny 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.

"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 Thursday the United States disagreed with the decision to free al-Megrahi.

"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."

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."

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer said that victims' families "have had no peace" since the attack.

"It is not appropriate to let free someone who committed one of the most awful deeds of the last half-century," he added.

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.

Celebrations loom
Libyans, meanwhile, were ready to celebrate the return of al-Megrahi, whom they see as an innocent victim of the West's campaign to turn their country into an international pariah.

"Exoneration. That's what we've been waiting for, and what (his release) would be," said Mohammed Abdel-Hameed, a 76-year-old retiree catching some shade behind a column in the square. "We all paid for Lockerbie, but al-Megrahi paid the highest price."

"It was all fabrication on fabrication," said Ramadan Misbahi, 45, as friends seated around him at an outdoor cafe nodded in agreement. "He didn't do anything."

The Lockerbie bombing sealed Libya's reputation as a terror sponsor in the eyes of the West. United Nations sanctions were imposed in 1992, augmenting others already imposed by the United States. The measures, as a whole, barred U.S. firms from doing business in Libya and barred air travel in and out of Libya.

The sanctions shaped the lives of a generation of Libyans. People had to drive to neighboring Tunisia or take a ferry to Malta to travel abroad. Quality goods were hard to come by.

With little foreign investment — even from Europeans — and heavy government control of the local economy, cities like Tripoli fell into disrepair, buildings became run down, and Libyans felt cut off from the world.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32487856...rism?GT1=43001

[Kratos]

private jet of Libya's leader, Moammar Gadhafi, had been sent to collect al-Megrahi.

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.

Libyans, meanwhile, were ready to celebrate the return of al-Megrahi, whom they see as an innocent victim of the West's campaign to turn their country into an international pariah.

quotes from above article
those people are so f-ing brainwashed
their country was responsible, the admited it
if that guy wasn't guilty, they know who was...give him up in exchange

[Dukkit]

too much to read

but sounds like a good deal to me

ill take it!

[MuscleScience]

Thats not Christian Mercy or Scottish Mercy. I seriously doubt that someone that truly thought of themselves as Scottish would allow this or think this was fair. He should die in jail and have his remains sent to his family members for burial just like his victims families had to do. That is Justice and Mercy all at the same time.

[Noles12]

I completely agree that it is insane to let him walk free. But i also see it from another viewpoint. To keep this man living in jail the country is paying for his medical expenses. He is costing them more money than any other prisoner. Under circumstances other than these i may agree with their decision but the fcker killed 270 people. He deserves to rot with no medicines or help from the country

[TITANIUM]

"Justice Is Blind" my friends................

[Matt]

I think it was time he was released, the man is dieing for fvck sake, and what a horrible way to die.

Whats more important is the fact that more and more evidence shows that the guy had nothing to do with with this terrorist atack..

[O.fO.shO]

I saw the news , and weather he had anything to do with it or not I have no idea. BUT if he did , what about slicing his skin every inch about 1/4" in, all over his body until he almost bleeds to death , then revive him and do it all over?

Death is the easy way out....

[NightWolf]

What a wonderful world we live in... a VERY painful death is
what should have been dealt to this POS garbage of human life.

IF he was guilty that is. (which i belive he was)

[LawMan018]

Released on compassionate grounds? How much compassion did he show to those American students flying home for Christmas? We should give him a tiny prop plane, train him to fly it, and blow it up over Libya.

[Flagg]

You know everyone is quick to jump on the Conspiracy bandwagon like:

America planned 911
America faked the Moon landings
America has fema camps
America assassinated JFK

Yet when it is now surfacing that this guy may well be innocent, it's a case of "Nah, he's guilty as sin" with you people. Why? Because he's a muslim? Because you can't be arsed to actually research? Because its what the media tells you?

For people going on about the truth and wanting the government to tell us the truth for once, it's amazing that you will hang, draw and quarter a man because of what the news says.

I don't know if he was guilty or innocent...if he was innocent then its appalling what has happened to this man. Will the truth come out about this? I sincerely doubt it. Oh the irony..

[Undercover]

quotes from above article
those people are so f-ing brainwashed
their country was responsible, the admited it
if that guy wasn't guilty, they know who was...give him up in exchange

How would some random citizens know who was responsible? and how would they go about turning him in?

But a 2007 review of his case found grounds for an appeal of his conviction, and many in Britain believe he is innocent.

[Undercover]

You know everyone is quick to jump on the Conspiracy bandwagon like:

America planned 911
America faked the Moon landings
America has fema camps
America assassinated JFK

Yet when it is now surfacing that this guy may well be innocent, it's a case of "Nah, he's guilty as sin" with you people. Why? Because he's a muslim?

For people going on about the truth and wanting the government to tell us the truth for once, it's amazing that you will hang, draw and quarter a man because of what the news says.

I don't know if he was guilty or innocent...if he was innocent then its appalling what has happened to this man. Will the truth come out about this? I sincerely doubt it. Oh the irony..

Couldn't agree more.

[Older lifter]

On average 8 people die in scotish prisons every year of natural causes (cancer and other things) so why the compassion for this man.

Did he do it or not!! well no one here will ever know, there are people in prison for the wrong reasons but most are there rightly.

Some have said that he is guilty because he is a muslim!!!! well maybe he gets the compassionate release because he is a muslim. Others non muslims are there and will die there in prison......

There is never going to be truth to this one, but there is also never going to be trust between faiths of strong belief, I have had 5 AK's pointed at the back of my head because i'm not muslim, also had a knife at my throat for the same reasons (all because i was helping), does it affect me yes it does, i don't want anyone impossing beliefs on me.

This is going to build and build as understanding is a two way street and that is difficult to swallow.

[Kratos]

On average 8 people die in scotish prisons every year of natural causes (cancer and other things) so why the compassion for this man.

Did he do it or not!! well no one here will ever know, there are people in prison for the wrong reasons but most are there rightly.

Some have said that he is guilty because he is a muslim!!!! well maybe he gets the compassionate release because he is a muslim. Others non muslims are there and will die there in prison......

There is never going to be truth to this one, but there is also never going to be trust between faiths of strong belief, I have had 5 AK's pointed at the back of my head because i'm not muslim, also had a knife at my throat for the same reasons (all because i was helping), does it affect me yes it does, i don't want anyone impossing beliefs on me.

This is going to build and build as understanding is a two way street and that is difficult to swallow.

Brown nosing to muslims for the simple fact that terroism is effective and the population of muslims in the UK is getting larger.

[Kratos]

How would some random citizens know who was responsible? and how would they go about turning him in?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't Muammar al-Gaddafi be privy to information on the attack he ordered? Esp since he claims this man to be innocent, how would he know unless he knows who's guilty?

The random citizens don't know anything. They are brainwashed to the point of retardation.

[Kratos]

I think it was time he was released, the man is dieing for fvck sake, and what a horrible way to die.

Whats more important is the fact that more and more evidence shows that the guy had nothing to do with with this terrorist atack..

How about being shot out of the air in a tin can.

What evidence shows he had nothing to do with it? Do tell.

Maybe more evidence shows BP needed a new cash cow then that he had nothing to do with the terrorist attack.