Sunday 19 December 2010

Lockerbie bomber's family set to appeal

[This is the headline over a report by Ben Borland in today's edition of the Sunday Express. It reads in part:]

Two of the Lockerbie bomber’s children are set to launch an appeal against his conviction within days of his death, the Sunday Express understands.

Ghada and Khaled al-Megrahi are determined to clear their father’s name and have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare another legal challenge in the Scottish courts.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, who is believed to be close to death in a coma in a Libyan hospital, dropped his second appeal shortly before his compassionate release in August 2009.

Ghada, 27, who is a qualified lawyer in Tripoli, and Khaled, 24, now plan to use the evidence gathered by his legal team, much of which has never been in the public domain before.

Legal experts said there is a much greater likelihood of an appeal being granted after death if the request comes from a member of the convicted person’s immediate family.

Both siblings, the eldest of Megrahi’s five children, spent many years in Scotland and are understood to be confident about tackling the intricacies of the legal system.

Families campaigner Jim Swire, who met the entire family when he flew to Tripoli to visit Megrahi recently, said they were determined to ensure that the “fight goes on” after his death.

“Between the two of them they know what they are going to do,” he added.

Khaled has also signed a Scottish Parliament petition calling for a new inquiry into the 1988 atrocity, which claimed 270 lives when a Pan Am passenger jet was blown up over Scotland.

Mr Swire said: “I spoke to him before he signed it and he was in favour of anything that might lead to a further inspection of the conviction of his dad. I also understand from my visit that the money set aside by Colonel Gaddafi for fighting his corner has pretty much gone. His advice to us has been to hold your horses until poor old Baset has gone.”

Robert Black, Professor Emeritus of Scots Law at the University of Edinburgh, explained Megrahi’s appeal was now “dead” and a fresh application would have to be made to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.

“There are two tests for granting an appeal,” he said. “One, has there been a miscarriage of justice and the SCCRC has already decided that there may have been.

And two, is it in the interests of justice?

“It would be easier for the convicted man’s family to establish that an appeal is in the interests of justice than for anybody else, such as a victim’s relative like Jim Swire.” (...)

In a rare interview before Megrahi’s release, after Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill judged he had less than three months to live, both Ghada and Khaled spoke of their anger.

Khaled, who recently completed a four year IT degree at a Glasgow university, said: “We have always tried to believe in the Scottish justice system and don’t want to be let down now. Everyone in Libya believes my father is innocent and I think many here do too.”

Ghada added: “I wanted to go into law because of what happened to my father and people like him who are wrongly accused.”

[Any attempt by Mr Megrahi's family to launch a fresh appeal via the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission would, of course, have to surmount the disgraceful new hurdles erected by the Scottish Parliament in section 7 of the Criminal Procedure (Legal Assistance, Detention and Appeals) (Scotland) Act 2010 (the Cadder emergency legislation).]

21 comments:

  1. MISSION LOCKERBIE:
    google translation, german/ english

    Better too late than at all not !
    Finally at last, congratulation and many thanks to Ghada and Khaled Al-Megrahi.
    That is the best for your Father, we know your Father have nothing to do with the Lockerbie-Tragedy ! He is not responsible for the died of 270 good humans !

    by Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd., Switzerland. URL: www.lockerbie.ch

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  2. “It would be easier for the convicted man’s family to establish that an appeal is in the interests of justice than for anybody else, such as a victim’s relative like Jim Swire.”

    Certainly it is important all attempts for justice are led by his family but we also have a lot of support (and growing I think) out here in Scottish life. We believe in justice and this trial and all its workings left the reputation of Scottish justice globally damaged.

    The Firm has results of its own poll of legal people 86% of whom have issues with the verdict and believe the Scottish justice system was seriously damaged by it. If that portion of the legal profession are saying this it is surely highly significant.

    So there are a great many people who are willing and absolutely ready to support this man's family if and when they make their move.

    The other thing is that Megrahi was not the only one who did not get justice after Lockerbie. Scotland, as a country, did not get justice either.

    The (bizarre and frankly unbelievable) downside is, of course, that the SNP are now aligned with the Unionist Parties at Holyrood on this issue in working towards keeping the truth hidden. Salmond and MacAskill are parroting the old, "the verdict was sound." line as and when required. MacAskill meanwhile has made it as difficult as possible to get the SCCRC report published by inserting clauses designed to prevent this.

    Perhaps the only way they can redeem themselves is for MacAskill to get these changes required (to get that clause removed) through as quickly as possible and get that darn report published!

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  3. MISSION LOCKERBIE:
    google translation, german/english

    The Appeal will be asked, confirm likely a Miscarrige of Justice (SCCRC).
    As a reminder: Mr. Abdelbaset Al Megrahi was a political hostage and "Lockerbie victim 271". Abdelbaset Al Megrahi, suffering since April 6th, 1999 until 20th August 2009, near 10 painful Years innocent in scottish prisons...
    By stay in the prison innocent Mr. Al Megrahi become a dangerously ill, so the Scottish Juticiary full responsible is, for the periode of suffering of Mr. Al Megrahi...

    by Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd., Switzerland URL: www.lockerbie.ch

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  4. ebol, sorry, but that last statement of yours is nonsense. Scotland certainly jailed Megrahi unjustly but it did not cause his cancer. Do get a grip! Let's stick with the flaws in the verdict.

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  5. Edwin, please, you're getting your slime all over his kids now, too.

    I like this development. They should push like hell and if that silly provision comes up to block them ... well that's a limelight cast on it at the very least. Something might have to give finally, who knows?

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  6. MISSION LOCKERBIE,
    reply to Jo G:

    Colonel Gaddafi say also during a video link up with students and staff at the London School of Economics on Thursday 4th December 2010:
    "Al Megrahi remained "very ill", saying: "His health was not looked after in prison. He didn’t have any periodic examination" !

    We are of the same opinion. With correct medical examination was the Tumour cancer early discovered !
    The following early treat was in Scottish Prison not carry out; (negligence ) !
    Treatment options for prostate cancer with intent to cure are primarily surgery, radiation therapy, and proton therapy. Other treatments, such as hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, cryosurgery, and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) also exist, depending on the clinical scenario and desired outcome.

    The age and underlying health of the man, the extent of metastasis, appearance under the microscope, and response of the cancer to initial treatment are important in determining the outcome of the disease. The decision whether or not to treat localized prostate cancer (a tumor that is contained within the prostate) with curative intent is a patient trade-off between the expected beneficial and harmful effects in terms of patient survival and quality of life.
    NEGLIGENCE !!!

    by Edwin Bollier, MEBO Ltd. Switzerland

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  7. Edwin,here is a section from the recent Wikileaks releases.As you can see the Libyan oncologist who first examined Mr al Megraghi did not share your`s nor the Colonel`s concerns.But, as we have all learned, the last person who should be listened to regarding cancer is an oncologist with no agenda!

    "Megrahi was first diagnosed on September 23 at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, both the FCO and the Scottish Crown office have told us; the second diagnosis was on October 10. The two diagnoses match: he has prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, the cancer has advanced rapidly, and it is inoperable and incurable. Megrahi could have as long as five years to live, but the average life expectancy of someone of his age with his condition is eighteen months to two years. Doctors are not sure where he is on the time scale, and therefore, how much longer he has to live. He has visibly deteriorated in recent weeks, according to those who have visited him. His visitors have included a Libyan oncologist, who expressed satisfaction with the medical treatment Megrahi has been receiving. FCO North Africa Group Head Rob Dixon told us October 22 that Qadhafi apparently complained about the Scots’ treatment of Megrahi, but that complaint was unspecific and hasn’t been repeated. Megrahi has told his family he is dying, and is receiving regular visits from a imam."

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  8. MISSION LOCKERBIE,
    attn. Grendal, thanks for your information.

    But in the prison, the medical examination for prostate cancer on 23rd of September 2008 was too late. Mr. Al Megrahi, in this age and in these circumstances (innocent in prison = stress) a ckeck up,will be made at least every 6 months. The earlier a cancer is detected in the prostate, the greater the chances of recovery.

    Digital rectal examination (DRE). The rectum is close to the prostate gland, so the doctor can feel for any abnormalities in the prostate by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum.

    If cancer is present in the prostate gland it may feel hard and knobbly, whereas with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) it'is usually enlarged, firm and smooth. However, often the prostate may feel normal, even when cancer cells are present.

    if those tests were not made, it is negligence!
    PSA Test
    A sample of blood is taken to check for PSA (prostate-specific antigen). PSA is a protein produced by the prostate and a small amount is normally found in the blood. Men with cancer of the prostate tend to have more PSA in their blood. However, the PSA test is not always reliable and some men who have prostate cancer will have a normal PSA. The PSA level can also be raised by:
    * urine infections;
    * recent prostate biopsies;
    * having a urinary catheter (a
    tube to drain urine;
    * prostate or bladder surgery
    prostatic massage.
    The PSA level will also get higher as men get older.

    by Edwin Bollier, MEBO Ltd., Switzerland, URL: www.lockerbie.ch

    ReplyDelete
  9. MISSION LOCKERBIE:
    google translation, german/english

    MEBO Ltd (Meister & Bollier), as well as Air-Malta's company and others, was criminal abused with Proofs, manipulated by officials of Scottish Authorities (damage until today U.S. $ 53'333'306.50) !

    So we require from Scottish Parliament full transparency in 'SCCRC' documents and from docment- 'PII', under National Security!

    by Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd. Switzerland. URL: www.lockerbie.ch

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  10. ebol, you are talking bollocks, as usual, or what I like to term ebollocks, suggesting the SPS were negligent because Megrahi did not receive an asymptomatic screen for prostrate cancer - that test is not part of regular health screening for ANY UK male citizen.
    I wonder if the corresponding Libyan Prison Service afford their prisoners that service? Doubt it.

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  11. Pigs flying comes to mind.
    See page 15, Paragraph 6 of the following .PDF link, which reads:
    (i)Mr. Obidi said that Mr. Megrahi had refused to see his doctor earlier in the day. He was apparently unhappy that the doctor's report had not made a sufficient case to ersuate the court to grant interim liberation. [...](/i)
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/01_09_09_libyan_gov.pdf

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  12. correction to typos above should read: ...had not made a sufficient case to PERSUADE the court to grant him interim liberation

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  13. MISSION LOCKERBIE:
    google translation, german/not english

    achtention blogiston, thank for agree with mein? #ebollocks# is not seen for me in google translation so many people said I speak too of bollocks which is my skill. With this claim I am happy as like given a great purse of gold by the Mummifhar and having a dhabihah goat festival for my pleasure. I dream to pleasure a goat during the feast by all means!

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  14. I speak too of bollocks which is my skill. With this claim I am happy as like given a great purse of gold

    Indeed. Why the sudden openness about your penchant for selling bollocks stories (or trying to, anyway) for cash rewards?

    I dream to pleasure a goat during the feast by all means!

    What the hell? Edwin, figure out who's hacked into your account. That's too bizarre even for you to say.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Attn Hacker Ebol:
    If "BOSS" Prof. Black finds good the funny hacked satire on his bloc, there must be a "specific reason" why so ?
    by Edwin Bollier, "Rubin"...

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  16. MISSION LOCKERBIE:

    To the memory: NOTE: only article under code "ebol" are genuine; under code "Ebol" hidden a hacker, apparently challenged or involved in the conspiracy "Action Amsterdam" against the Leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi ...
    Achtung: nur Artikel unter code "ebol" sind echt; unter code "Ebol" versteckt sich ein Hacker, scheinbar herausgefordert oder verwickelt in die Verschwörung "Aktion Amsterdam", gegen den Leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi...!

    Robert Black said:
    On reflection, I have decided not to remove the post that appears two above this one. There is room for satire on this blog.
    However, readers are warned that posts from 'Ebol' (upper case E) are not from Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier who post as 'ebol' (lower case e).

    ebol reply:
    Thanks Prof. Black, MEBO can live with it because it gives by us complete transparency and truth.
    If "BOSS" Prof. Robert Black finds good the funny hacked satire on his bloc, there must be a "specific reason" why so ?

    by Edwin Bollier, MEBO Ltd., Switzerland, URL: www.lockerbie.ch

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  17. Edwin, I do not say that the satire is either good or funny. All I say is that there is room for it on the blog. I do not moderate comments and I have no intention of starting to do so. If the comments facility becomes problematic, I shall simply disable it.

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  18. 'Rubin', now?
    Confucius say, man who keep changing name cause people who make forms to put in extra question, "Have you ever used or been known by another name?"

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  19. I'm afraid I usually pass over ebol's comments. They evoke the disorientation of a drugs trip...

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  20. attn blogiston,
    I wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    Please before you quote philosopher "Kong Fuzi" and make such comments, write not only by their various code names but also by the name real. I stand by all the publications with my real name.

    best, Edwn Bollier, MEBO Ltd. Switzerland

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  21. Ah, an outright faker. Should have caught that. Well I don't think that game will be able to go on much longer with any success.

    Incidentally, the slime comment was directed at small e ebol.

    ReplyDelete