21/10/2008

SNP Calls For Lockerbie Bomber Trial To Be Brought Forward

Following reports that Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is in the advanced stages of cancer, SNP MSP Alex Neil has stressed the importance of holding a "timeous" appeal trial.

Mr Neil has called on the Crown Office to bring forward the trial of the Libyan intelligence agent and to ensure no further delays take place.

He argued: "It is in the interests of natural justice that a timeous appeal trial takes place early in 2009.

"There should be no more prevarication by the Crown Office."

According to his lawyer Tony Kelly, Megrahi has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and the disease has now spread to other parts of his body.

Mergrahi is currently appealing his 2001 conviction for the bombing of Pan AM flight 103 in 1988 that led to the death of 270 people.

(GK/JM)

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