A poll of Scottish lawyers by Scottish Legal News has backed Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's decision to release the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing on compassionate grounds.
The decision by the Scottish Government to release terminally ill Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi - convicted in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988 - has sparked international debate.
However, a survey carried out by Scottish Legal News showed that more than two-thirds of lawyers supported the Justice Secretary's controversial ruling.
We asked: "Was the Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, right to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds?"
A total of 424 readers responded to the survey, with two-thirds (67.9 per cent) saying 'Yes', the minister made the right call. Nearly a third of respondents (32.1 per cent) disagreed with the decision.
Scottish Legal News editor, Baktosch Gillan said: "The message from our readers is emphatic. A majority of two-thirds support the decision of justice secretary Kenny MacAskill to free Megrahi.
"I had expected that opinion would be more evenly divided, but plainly the majority of the Scottish lawyers who responded are proud of their distinctive legal system and they believe that if it contains an element of compassion then it ought to be implemented."
One solicitor, who has practised law in both Scotland and New York, spoke of her "pride" in being a member of a Scottish legal system that can release Megrahi on compassionate grounds.
She added: "I think that this shows a legal system based on greater and higher values of natural justice and humanity. If tried and convicted in New York, al-Megrahi would certainly have faced the death penalty for his crimes.
"The most just and compassionate action for the Scottish justice system could take was to let the man go home to die.
"What a wonderful moral action, which can only be a good example to the rest of the world - no matter what political fallout ensues. Good for Scottish justice - a brave and compassionate decision!"
One lawyer wrote: "The justice secretary was correct. Compassion and forgiveness are pillars of the criminal justice system. Without them, rehabilitation of offenders and closure for victims and their families would be impossible."
Another said: "Scotland is a civilised and compassionate country. Regardless of guilt, it is only right that Mr al-Megrahi is allowed to die with his family around him. What possible good would it do to the relatives of the victims of the Lockerbie disaster to have him die in prison?
"The reaction from the American victims' families only goes to show that America has a long way to go before their so-called Christian society demonstrates the levels of forgiveness and compassion which the Scottish victims have shown."
[This was sent to me by a reader. It is genuine, but I am unable to provide a link.
Another kind reader has provided this link.]
MISSION LOCKERBIE on: http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=18873
ReplyDeleteLockerbie evidence that won’t be heard
The real scandal of the last week is that, in forcing Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi to drop his second appeal case, evidence regarding what really happened will not now be heard in court.
According to former CIA officer Robert Baer who was part of the initial investigation into the case, “Your [Scottish] justice secretary had two choices – sneak into Megrahi’s cell and smother him with his pillow or release him.
“The end game came down to damage limitation because the evidence amassed by his appeal team is explosive and extremely damning to the system of justice.”
Socialist Worker can reveal some of what was contained in the proposed 20 grounds of appeal:
Details of a catalogue of evidence deliberately undisclosed at the original trial.
Allegations of evidence tampering.
Newly revealed memos from the US Defence Intelligence Agency that discount Libya’s involvement.
A new witness, David Wright, who was on holiday in Malta and would have produced new evidence as to the buyer of clothes that were crucial to the original case, and the date they were bought.
New witnesses showing that the fragment of disputed circuit board found near the crash could not have survived such an explosion. An independent forensic scientist also found no trace of explosive on the fragment.
A Swiss businessman who would have given evidence that his company – which supplied the alleged bomb timer – did not just sell to the Libyan intelligence service, as was claimed, but to other security services.
New evidence proving the impossibility of the bomb being transferred from Malta.
The following should be read alongside this article on: http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=18873
» Lockerbie: the real cover up
» Lockerbie evidence shows grave miscarriage of justice
» Western interests sit in the way of truth over Lockerbie bombing
With recommendation of Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd. Switzerland
MISSION LOCKERBIE DOES NOT TERMINATE:
ReplyDeleteQuestion at Secretary of Justice Mr. MacAskill: What do you undertake against their own criminal official ones?
MEBO reproach: Some of the Scottish Officials are the true criminals in the Lockerbie Affair: Ex forensic scientist Dr Thomas Hayes (RARDE) UK, Ex forensic expert Allen Feraday (RARDE) UK and three known persons of the Scottish police are responsible for manipulating evidence in the Lockerbie Affair and are still protected by the Scottish Justice ! (They are not involved in the PanAm 103 bombing, but responsible for the conspiracy against Libya).
Evidences on URL: www.lockerbie.ch
by Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd. Switzerland
Link here http://www.scottishlegal.com/index.asp?cat=NEWS&type=Criminal
ReplyDeleteI'm not convinced about the decision from a legal point of view - I can't see how the secretary of state was justified in allowing him to return to Libya when he was only released on licence. I've explained my rationale in my new blog:
ReplyDeletewww.lawandthenews.blogspot.com
MISSION LOCKERBIE: The large "Lockerbie-Mistake"
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. James Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party.
Mr. Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi who is definitely not the PanAm 103 bomber; Mr. Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi is a "victory" for all Libyans und a "Hero of the Truth"!
Please do not forget Mr. Megrahi was in your country a political hostage and "Lockerbie victim 271"!
Mr. Abdelbaset Al Megrahi, suffering since April 6th, 1999 until August 20th, 2009,
323'360'000 painful seconds, innocent in scottish prisons !
Time for truth to come out, please prepare...
Important: Some of the Scottish Officials are the true criminals in the Lockerbie Affair: Ex forensic scientist Dr Thomas Hayes (RARDE) UK, Ex forensic expert Allen Feraday (RARDE) UK and three known persons of the Scottish police are responsible for manipulating evidence in the Lockerbie Affair and are still protected by the Scottish Justice ! (They are not involved in the PanAm 103 bombing, but responsible for the conspiracy against Libya).
more Information on: www.lockerbie.ch
by Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd., Switzerland
Yes,
ReplyDeleteI agree with ebol; it's time to go after the real criminals who conspired to lock up an innocent man for 27 years