Megrahi applies for bail

The BBC News website reports that an application for interim liberation (bail) has been lodged with the High Court of Justiciary on behalf of Abdelbaset Megrahi. The article reads in part:

'The man convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, Abdelbasset al-Megrahi has applied to be released on bail, pending his appeal.

'Arguments are due to be heard in the High Court in Edinburgh next Thursday [6 November]. (...)

'BBC Scotland's Home Affairs correspondent Reeval Alderson said: "In the past, Megrahi has said he didn't want to come out of prison except as a free man. But things have changed lately.

'"He is suffering from an advanced form of prostate cancer which has spread to other parts of his body.

'"Nobody is saying whether his condition is terminal or talking about his life expectancy but it's quite clear Megrahi is very ill and now he has finally applied to the High Court to be allowed to be released while the legal moves go on and they're very, very protracted, they're very, very lengthy indeed."

'Mr Alderson said there had been no reaction from official sources, such as the Crown Office apart from to confirm that the hearing would take place. (...)

'Mr Alderson said he had just spoken to one set of American relatives who felt Megrahi should allowed out as there was no point in keeping him in prison.

'However, he added: "I don't think that is a view that is widely shared though, particularly with the American relatives."

'After the disclosure that Megrahi had prostate cancer, there were calls for his appeal against his 2001 conviction to be speeded up.'

The full report can be read here.

The STV News report on the issue can be watched here.