the Libyan man accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan-Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland; 34 years ago, was in the possession of the United States. This was reported today (Sunday) by the BBC network. Authorities in the United States announced charges against Abu-Aghila Masoud two years ago, claiming that he played a key role in the terrorist attack that took place on December 21, 1988. The explosion on the Boeing 747 on the London-New York route claimed the lives of 270 people. This is the deadliest terrorist attack that has occurred on British soil.
All 259 people who were on the plane, passengers and crew members, were killed; Another 11 people were killed when the wreckage destroyed their homes in the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Last week it was reported that Massoud had been kidnapped by a militia in Libya, leading to speculation that he would be handed over to American authorities for trial.
In 2001, Abdul Bast al-Mughrabi was convicted of the bombing of the flight by a Scottish court specially convened in the Netherlands. Moghrabi was imprisoned for life, but was released on humanitarian grounds by the Scottish government in 2009 after being diagnosed with cancer, he died in 2012 in Libya.
A spokesperson for the prosecution in the UK said: “The families of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing know that the suspect Abu-Agila Muhammad Masado is in the custody of the US. The prosecution and the police in Scotland are working with the British government and with colleagues in the US, and will continue to advance this investigation with the sole aim of bringing those who operate with al-Maghrabi to justice.”
We note that Pan-Am, the legendary American airline, which symbolized and led the golden age of the jet age; She was stripped a few years after the attack. According to many, the attack had a decisive, image and financial impact on the bankruptcy of the iconic company, which admittedly experienced financial difficulties unrelated to it.