Lockerbie Father speaks as third man charged
AGLOUCESTER SHIRE father whose daughter died in the Lockerbie bombing spoke of how he remembers her as the US charged a “third conspirator” in connection with the atrocity – exactly 32 years on.
The bombing of Pan Am flight 103, travelling from London to New York on December 21, 1988, killed 270 people in Britain’s largest terrorist attack.
Former Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-megrahi, who was found guilty in 2001 of mass murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years, was the only person convicted of the attack, with another suspect acquitted.
US Attorney General William Barr told a press conference a “third conspirator” was identified along with two Libyan intelligence agents during the investigation in 1991 but at the time investigators could not “identify or locate” this person.
He said: “The United States has filed criminal charges against the third conspirator, Abu Agila Mohammad Masud Kheir Al-marimi, for his role in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103.”
The US alleges that he was the bombmaker and has charged him with terrorism-related crimes.
Mr Barr said: “Masud remains in Libyan custody. We intend to work closely with our Scottish counterparts to use every feasible and appropriate means to ensure that he answers for his part in the Lockerbie bombing.
“It is our hope that the Libyan authorities will allow Masud to be tried for this crime in the United States and will provide the support and witnesses necessary to us to bring him to justice.”
He said that US authorities would work “arm in arm” with their Scottish counterparts.
Mr Barr said he was “optimistic” that Libyan authorities would hand Masud over to them.
He said: “Let there be no mistake, no amount of time or distance will stop the US and our Scottish partners from pursuing justice in this case.”
Dr Jim Swire, from Chipping Campden, whose daughter Flora died in the bombing, told Sky News: “You remember what she would have given to the family and what she would have given to medicine.
“She was a very bright young doctor and I think she would have had a fantastic career in front of her.
“All of that was lost in that moment of atrocity.
“So really the anniversary days are not that different from all the other 364 days of the year.”
He added: “My pursuit over this past 32 years has been for the truth about who murdered our lovely daughter Flora and why she wasn’t protected from the terrorist attack which had been copiously warned about in advance.
“I don’t feel confident that the material that was provided to indicate that the bomb had come from the hand of a Libyan in Malta was correct. I listened throughout the trial of that man and it seemed to me that the evidence did not support the verdict that was reached.”
Scotland’s Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC, said the families of those murdered had shown “extraordinary and enduring dignity” over the years.
He said: “Today, our thoughts are with them once again.
“Scottish prosecutors and police have had a long-established and strong working relationship with US law enforcement agencies throughout this investigation.
“This relationship will continue to be important as the investigation progresses with the shared goal of bringing all those who committed this atrocity to justice.
“Scottish prosecutors will continue to work with US colleagues but we will not comment in detail on today’s announcement given that the Scottish criminal investigation is ongoing and there is an appeal before the court in relation to this crime.”
The father of another of the victims of the bombing criticised the US Department of Justice for making its announcement on the anniversary of the attack.
Rev John Mosey, father of 19-yearold victim Helga Mosey, said he considered the “timing and particularly the choice of this specific day, which is special to many of us, to be bizarre, disrespectful, insensitive and extremely ill-considered”.
He added: “Why exactly, when the Attorney General is about to leave office, has he waited 32 years to bring charges?”
Megrahi was released from prison in 2009 on compassionate grounds while terminally ill with cancer, and died in Libya in 2012.
A panel of five appeal judges in Edinburgh is currently deliberating whether to acquit Megrahi over the bombing after the conclusion of the third appeal against his conviction last month.
Police Scotland Chief Constable, Iain Livingstone, said: “This announcement by the US Department of Justice is a significant development for the families of the victims, and my thoughts remain with them, particularly today, the 32nd anniversary of the bombing.
“Since 1988, policing in Scotland has been committed to carrying out the largest terrorist investigation ever undertaken in this country.
“Police Scotland will continue to work closely on this investigation, under the direction of the Crown Office, with our American law enforcement colleagues and other international partners.”
Lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represents the family of Megrahi, said: “No new information was presented today by AG Barr and it appears to be a desperate attempt to resurrect a Lockerbie case, whilst we await the decision of the appeal court over the miscarriage of justice appeal of the late Abdelbaset al-megrahi.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the victims and relatives affected by the atrocity.
“There is a live criminal investigation being led by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The Scottish Government does not comment on criminal investigations.”
She was a very bright young doctor and I think she would have had a fantastic career... All of that was lost in that moment of atrocity Dr Jim Swire