The wife of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing is planning to take part in a silent vigil outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday aimed at highlighting alleged miscarriages of justice.
Aisha al Megrahi plans to join a group of aggrieved relatives on a silent walk down the Royal Mile to Holyrood, where organisers have asked to meet with Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary, to present information about several different cases.
Relatives plan to carry photographs of those they believe have suffered a miscarriage of justice, including Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, who is serving a life sentence in Greenock prison with a minimum term of 27 years for the bombing of PanAm flight 103 in 1988, which led to the deaths of 270 people.
Megrahi, 56, is suffering from terminal prostate cancer which has spread to other parts of his body and may not have long to live.
Last month, the court of criminal appeal refused to grant him interim liberation before his appeal next year. The defence claims there is a "compelling case" for releasing him on bail, but the three judges turned down the request.
Mrs Megrahi, who has been living in Libya since 2005, has flown to Scotland to visit her husband in prison.
Although she has generally shied away from media attention, she recently criticised the way her husband has been treated.
She told a newspaper in Tripoli: "Hospitals in Scotland refused to take him because of the increased security involved in transferring him, especially the use of helicopters."
Megrahi, who has consistently denied any involvement in the bombing, said he was "very distressed" by the ruling and vowed that the fight to clear his name would continue after his death if necessary.
He lost an appeal in 2002, but was given a fresh chance to clear his name in June last year when the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission referred his case back to appeal judges for a second time on six different grounds. The fresh appeal is due to be heard next year.
[From an article by Lucy Adams in today's issue of The Herald. The full text can be read here. The procession is to assemble in Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh at 3pm on Thursday.]
A new "Lockerbie scandal" is uncovered !
ReplyDeleteNewest unbelievable Fact in the "Lockerbie-Affair"
On the feeder flight PA-103/A from Frankfurt to London-Heathrow not one Samsonite suitcase - the alleged bomb suitcase, from AirMalta, flight KM-180 to PanAm flight PA-103/A - was loaded, but 3unknown and unaccompanied luggage items from Lufthansa, flight LH-631from Kuwait, ex tray no. B-4809, B-6001, B-7418 >>>
don't belong to passenger no.143, T. Walker as the BKA supposed falsely!
An irresponsible mistake due to the BKA's sloppy investigations.
Passenger no.143, T. Walker, actually traveled with his 3 luggage items (3M) with the same flight LH-631 from Kuwait to Frankfurt. Around 15:57 clock at the transit checking counter in Frankfurt airport, Mr. Walker checked in with his 3 luggage items as tray no. B-7056, B-9531, B-11366.
Unfortunately, the on-line Bag from Berlin flight PA-643, Tray no. B-8849 was given the the code S0009+Z13:07 at the same time (13:07) together with the inter-line baggage from AirMalta, KM-180, (code S0009+Z13:04-13:10) by the same Counter V3-206. Therefore the wrong acceptance at the court in Kamp van Zeist 2000/2001, that the bag was transfered by AirMalta, KM-180 onto PanAm, PA-103/A!!
by Edwin Bollier, MEBO Ltd, Switzerland
YET AGAIN Mr. Bollier continues to attempt to use this site for unwanted comments and the 'presentation' of HIS case. He CAN come to Scotland when the appeal is heard, call a press conference and make any claims he wishes - I respectfully suggest he uses the time interval until them to improve his written and spoken English sufficiently to understand Scots law and, in particular the words 'locus in law'! Having been a witness and partner to a man who has admitted the offence of perjury - Mr. Bollier should seek legal advice from a qualified Scots solicitor or Advocate and, given his present cirucmtances be prepared to pay for it.
ReplyDeleteI SALUTE MRS MEGRAHI's support for her husband unjustly convicted and imprisoned.
I urge, however,that she accepts advice as to her language and claims.
Their Lordhsips of Appeal, after a two day hearing gave their judgement in four written pages.
Contrary to highly emotional press reports, the court had heard from Megrahi's consultant that (a) he was not in pain, (b) he had declined analgesic support, (c) the FULL services of the National Health Service were available to him (d) His consultant had informed the court that he (Megrahi) was being given palliative treatment and should he respond well to that treatment his life expectancy could be in years.
Extremely importantly their Lordships specifically stated that they would expect the Defence to immediately inform the court should there be any deterioration in Mr. Megrahis condition.
I BELIVE THAT MEGRAHI IS INNOCENT: I therefore believe that he is unjustily imprisoned...BUT his team are assembling what I hope will be a totally irrefutable appeal.
Speculation, ill-chosen words or emotive comments in the media will NOT help or assist with the legal aspect of the case.
Dear Mr DavidBen-Aryeah
ReplyDeleteYOU AND OTHER FRIENDS BELIEVE THAT MR. MEGRAHI IS INNOCENT, that is very well however is only one statement from you, or have you strong discharge proofs as I and MEBO have?
We are neither pessimistic nor optimistic about Megrahi's appeal, but we are determined to reveal the Scottish miscarriage of justice with our exonerating evidence and thus help to rehabilitate Libya and give Mr. Abdelbaset Al Megrahi his honour back.
We will prove that Libya and Mr Al Megrahi had absolutely nothing to do with the PanAm 103 bombing! We have to day the ncessary discharge proofs.
A revised judgement in favour of Libya and its official Mr. Megrahi will rise Libya's international reputation and the prestige of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi and his son Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, who was a key figure in normalizing Libya's relations with the World and make the international community aware of the unjust UN-embargo against Libya and its people.
Why again a delay and why has no date yet been fixed for the hearing of the appeal? The answer is simple: Probably racism, because Mr. Megrahi is citizen of a Muslim Country! This must end. The delay is becoming scandalous. The reputation of Scotland's criminal justice system is being further tarnished in the eyes of the world. Topic in the next meeting of the Arab league.
End of the announcement.
Merry Christmas
Edwin Bollier, MEBO Ltd, Switzerland
Rather than whining in the media about the care Megrahi is receiving, perhaps Mrs. Megrahi would like to foot the bill for her husband's medical care, helicoptors, etc. I'm sure then she will get what she deserves.
ReplyDeleteDear Edwin,
ReplyDeleteI fear you are still confused over the exact meaning of the word 'PROOF'
In Scots Law the word 'PROOF' means matters of substance and evidence laid before the court, and thereafter subject to full examination and cross-examination before the court to enable the burden of proof against the accused to be established 'beyond reasonable doubt'.
I have always, since the day the verdict was delivered, believed that their Lordships finding of guilt 'on the balance of probability' was and remains a travesty of justice.
The ONLY way that justice may be restored to an innocent man (Megrahi) is through due legal process, through a second appeal where his case will be presented by persons qualified in Scots Law and licensed by the Law Society of Scotland to have the 'right of audience' before their Lordships of Appeal.
In respect of your activities and constant, almost incessant postings and abuse of the Lockerbie site:
1: You are NOT qualified in Scots Law.
2: You have already been a witness in this case.
3: You have immense financial expectations in the event of Megrahi being released.
4: GIven the forgoing you can hardly be described as an 'impartial' commentator.
5: You have no 'locus in law' in respect of Megrahi's appeal.
6: You have consistently and persistently clouded and confused the many complex issues in the case.
7: The delay you refer to as 'a scandal' has been caused by a number of factors (a) The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission taking some 2 years to review the substantial (18+ volumes)of submissions and then found FOUR EXTRA grounds for appeal and (b) the fact that his new defence team has sought over 800 witness statements that should have been in their possession at the original trial: broadened their grounds for appeal: details of criminal convictions of all witnesses: and access to all documents pertaining to the case. THIS has contributed largely to the delay and afforded you yet more opportunities to make sensational and un-verified or un-tested in court claims!
8:(And most seriously) Your constant and unverified claims and speculations may well have HARMED Mr. Megrahi's cause in the lublic perception of the grounds for his appeal.
(; The Libyan people's Jamaharyia is perfectly capable of expressing their own opinions both through it's officials and or the People's Committees...I remained puzzled as to why you feel you have the permission or authority to make claims on THEIR behalf, being, I believe, a Swiss citizen.
David,
ReplyDeletePerhaps before you critise speakers of English as a second language you would first make sure your English was up to scratch.
"through it's officials"
A rather elementary mistake.
Ruth, "critise"? suggest you buy a mirror. While I do not agree that Megrahi is not guilty, I find David's points very well founded and certainly much more literate than anything Bollier could ever dream of conjuring in any language.
ReplyDeleteI married a Swiss German speaker in 1968, and know exactly how annoying it is to be shown wanting in my native English! Eliane is so well versed in all of my cockney rhyming slang she can pummell me into the ground if I make even a slight mistake with my apple and pears, or even worse with my trouble or strife!
ReplyDeleteWe have to be especially understanding with Edwin Bollier (he does, after all, have a Zurich accent). But we should remember that Edwin has big ambitions to get back into the business of pirate radio broadcasting in the North Sea (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_North_Sea_International#Later_Broadcasts).
So when is the launching of Mebo IV going to be?
Probably when Libya pays him his 200 million.
ReplyDelete