Sunday 27 February 2011

Megrahi blackmailed Gaddafi!

[I am grateful to a reader of this blog for sending me the text of an article in today's edition of The Sunday Times. The following are excerpts:]

The Lockerbie bomber blackmailed Colonel Gadaffi into securing his release from a Scottish prison by threatening to expose the dictator's role in Britain's worst terrorist atrocity, a former senior Libyan official has claimed.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi vowed to exact' "revenge" unless he was returned home, said Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, Libya's former justice minister. In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Times, Abdel-Jalil says Megrahi's ploy led to a €50,000-a-month slush fund being set up to spend on legal fees and lobbying to bring him back to Tripoli.

His comments are highly embarrassing for Labour, after declassified documents revealed that Gordon Brown's govemment secretly worked to deliver the bomber's freedom in exchange for trade deals. They are also likely to further strain relations between Britain and the United States, which had opposed Megrahi's release. (...)

Abdel-Jalil, who quit his job last week over the regime's brutal crackdown and is now setting up an interim government in Benghazi, said Megrahi was involved in the attack ordered by Gadaffi as one of the Leader’s former spies.

He was not the man who carried out the planning and execution of the bombing, but he was "nevertheless involved in facilitating things for those who did".

Abdel-Jalil said he knew from two Libyan senior justice officials assigned to liaise with Megrahi in Scotland that he had threatened to "spill the beans" on several occasions. Megrahi had warned Gadaffi: "lf you do not rescue me, I will reveal everything. If you don't ensure my return home, I will reveal everything."

The threat paid off, ensuring the Libyan leader became heavily involved. "Abdelbaset received very special treatment as a Libyan prisoner abroad that was never shown to anyone else," said Abdel-Jalil.

"Gadaffi and his officials were dedicated to ensuring that Megrahi should return to Libya even if it cost them every penny they had. It was costing Libya £50,000 a month being paid to him, his legal team and family members for visitations and living expenses.” He claimed that up to £1.3 billion was spent on the case. (...)

Jim Swire, a retired British doctor whose 24-year-ald, daughter Flora was killed, said: “I’ve never known who ordered the bombing.

"I would love to see Gadaffi and his henchmen brought out of Libya alive and put in front of an international court in Holland to answer the questions we have about why and how this was carried out.

“Some may say if it can be proved Gadaffi ordered the Lockerbie bombings, does it matter how he did it? Well, it certainly matters to us, the relatives of the victims. We want to know the truth about how it was carried out and who was behind it."

Ben Wallace, the Conservative MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said the comments proved the conspiracy theorists who maintained Megrahi's innocence were wrong and intelligence services under Labour.

"Why were British intelligence and Scottish ministers not aware at the time of the threat being made by Megrahi, or had he already indicated to the authorities that he was prepared to talk?" Wallace said.

"If he was a foreign spy, why weren't we bugging those conversations? ... From start to finish Megrahi made fools of the Scottish government and the Labour government, with the Lockerbie victims and taxpayers paying the price."

[A somewhat shorter report in today's New York Daily News can be read here.

What has any of this got to do with whether Abdelbaset Megrahi was wrongly convicted on the evidence led at Camp Zeist? Is this no longer an issue of any concern? Is the question of the probity and integrity of the Scottish criminal justice system of no importance once a few Libyans who once, with no apparent qualms, supported Colonel Gaddafi decide that telling the US and the UK what they want to hear may be in their own best long-term interests?]

22 comments:

  1. MISSION LOCKERBIE, 2011, doc. nr.1062.rtf. sorry text only in German, translation in english too complicated:
    The newspaper "The Australian" scattered around:"Lockerbie killer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi 'blackmailed dictator for his release' ...

    Die Zeitung "The Australian" streut herum und die Medien werden sich vermutlich darauf abstützen >>
    "Lockerbie killer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi 'blackmailed dictator for his release' ...
    Solch einen Blödsinn ist schon lange nicht mehr verbreitet worden !
    Al Megrahi wollte selber, nur durch die Scottish Justice rechtsgültig, als unschuldig freigesprochen werden. Leider wurde er gezwungen, (aus zur Zeit noch geheim gehaltenen Gründen) sein Erfolg versprechendes Appeal, datiert auf Dezember 2009 (4 Monate nach seiner fragwürdigen Freilassung)-- zurückzuziehen, damit er gegen seinen Willen, nach Libyen abgeschoben werden konnte...
    Das Interesse des Scottish Government's lag am unbedingten Rückzug, Al Megrahi's, Appeal, welches bereits vorab von der Scottish Criminal Cases Appeal Commission (SCCRC) in 6 Punkten als "Miscarriage of Justice" erklärt wurde ! Das aufdecken der Wahrheit, hätte im "Scottish Parliament" ein politisches Erdbeben ausgelöst !

    Some of the Scottish Officials are the true criminals in the Lockerbie Affair 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).
    The honour of Mr. Al Megrahi and the prestige of people Libya's must be finally repaired. Libya and its Official Al Megrahi have nothing to do with the Lockerbie tragedy. The Scottish "Lockerbie-Trial" in Kamp van Zeist, was far from fair and proper.
    NOW its the right time: Justice for Megrahi and the libyan people !

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

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  2. Yeh, yeh, Megrahi blackmailed Gadaffi into working to get his release even while the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission had SIX grounds to question Megrahi's conviction. Yeh, yeh.

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  3. Abdel-Jalil doesn`t explain how Gadaffi managed to swing it with Kenny MacAskill. Was MacAskill bribed. Did Scotland get an, as yet secret, oil deal? No doubt Abdel-Jalil will be revealing all to the world`s media in the very near future!

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  4. And what was to stop Gaddafi running a tank over Megrahi and his family the next night his 'successful' blackmailing had landed Megrahi back in Tripoli? Problem solved - and silenced.
    This one story and its bastard mutations are starting to be tiresome and predictable.

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  5. Interesting that the interview was in the Sunday Times.
    Surely Gadaffi 'viewed Megrahi's return as vital to his own domestic politics: a boon to the influential Megrahi tribe and, more importantly, a major victory for the hardliners who have been critical of his engagement with the West.'

    Support for Megrahi during imprisonment would have been essential.

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  6. Who else would soar above the view of men, and keep us all in servile tearfulness? The soothsayer warned, beware the ides of March. Did he, the tired Muammar? And this man is now become a god in his land alas no more. And what of Baset, a wretched creature and must bend his body if Muammar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever when he was in Caledonia. And when the fit was on him, Kennet did mark as how he did shake; 'tis true, in fear of this god did shake; His coward lips did from their colour fly, And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world did lose his lustre; I did hear him groan; poor Baset and his fool Muammar soon to be no more.

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  7. To answer folks questioning why Gaddafi did not kill al-Megrahi - take some time to learn about the Magraha tribe and how important it must have been for Gaddafi to placate them.

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  8. We`re back to the question to which everyone thinks they know the answer, for which they can produce no evidence; how did Gaddafi persuade MacAskill to release Megrahi?
    So until such time as we hear some convincing evidence.............

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  9. If Ben Wallace MP is correct and this "proves" that conspiracy theorists (such as myself) are wrong it seems curious that the mass murderer Colonel Gaddafi would suffer this blackmailer to stay alive. On the contrary Megrahi remained a servant of the Gaddafi regime and I suspect this is why he dropped his 2nd appeal. Of course the Sunday Times have printed similar stories in the past such as "Gaddafi Ordered Lockerbie Bombing"(ST June 14th 2000) quoted unnamed "sources within MI6" in supportof this claim. Of course if Al-Megrahi carried out the bombing it seems unlikely he did this on his own initiative but he had nothing to do with the bombing at all. He was framed to exert political pressure of the Gaddafi regime.

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  10. From today's Guardian:
    "Gaddafi also became the first sitting Head of State to be referred to the International Criminal Court by unanimous vote of the often-divided UN Security Council."

    Does the UNSC's unanimity on this issue mean that the United States has now become a member of the ICC?

    If so, ex-President Bush had better prepare to be hauled before the ICC. Also, current and former Israeli PMs should henceforth be very careful about travelling abroad!

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  11. We`re back to the question to which everyone thinks they know the answer, for which they can produce no evidence; how did Gaddafi persuade MacAskill to release Megrahi?
    So until such time as we hear some convincing evidence.............

    It wouldn't have been a question of Gadaffi persuading MacAskill. It would've been a question of MacAskill being told what to do in the name of nastional security.

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  12. Which nation`s security? Are you suggesting that Scotland`s security was at risk if Magraghi wasn`t released? In what way? So what was in it for MacAskill?...or the SNP?...or Scotland?

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  13. MISSION LOCKERBIE, 2011, doc. nr.1063.rtf. google translation in german/english language:

    Be careful, the media are now fed deliberately and systematically for publish Disinformation of Abdelbaset al Megrahi !
    Under the Prologue, "whoever digs a pit for others, falls in himself", the secret machinations of Abdelbaset Al Megrahi, in the context of the "Lockerbie Affair" soon be revealed.
    Preliminary information: Mr Abdel Al Megrahi has been through a Miscarriage of Justice, in the "Lockerbie Case" incorrectly sentenced as guilty. Al Megrahi is innocent, because he in the real attack on PanAm 103, nothing may have to do !
    Conversely, Mr. Al Megrahi was blackmailed to let fall his promising Appeal...
    +++
    Achtung, die Medien werden jetzt über Mr. Abdelbaset al Megrahi, vorsätzlich und gezielt mit Desinformation gefüttert !

    Unter dem Prolog "wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein" werden demnächst geheim gehaltene Tatsachen im Kontext mit der "Lockerbie Affäre" veröffentlicht.
    Vorab Information: Mr. Abdelbaset Al Megrahi ist durch ein "Miscarriage of Justice", im "Lockerbie-Fall" falsch als Schuldig verurteilt worden.
    Al Megrahi ist unschuldig, weil er an der realen Attacke von PanAm 103, nichts zu tun haben kann !
    Reziprok, Mr. Al Megrahi wurde erpresst, sein Erfolg versprechendes Appeal fallen zulassen...

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

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  14. Okay, this makes the "to hide it" part make more sense, in the sense of an internally consistent parallel universe that still isn't the one we live in.

    He was not the man who carried out the planning and execution of the bombing, but he was "nevertheless involved in facilitating things for those who did".

    Facilitated, but didn't execute ... he was accused by the "evidence" of holding explosives, bringing the bomb suitcase to Malta, buying the clothes to go in it, and being at the airport for some reason as an unknown accomplice (called Fhimah at one time) planted the bomb.

    That's more than "facilitating." This guy - who smacks of both Giaka and Chalabi - doesn't know even what he's talking about.

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  15. Who has paid for Megrahi's medical care and taken care of his family all this time? Who is still picking up the tab?

    Megrahi went home "terminally ill". How simple would it have been for him to die soon after instead of which the best of medical care was provided in order to extend his life? Does anyone think Gaddafi would have allowed him to survive if he posed a threat to him personally?

    Who was set to be freed had his second appeal been heard and even one of the six grounds shown a miscarriage of justice had occurred?

    The answers to these questions aren't subject to anyone's opinion. They are known. They prove, for me anyway, that there cannot have been any attempt at "blackmail" by Megrahi. He had no need to employ such tactics.

    Alas judging by the worsening standards of reporting and the decision of the international "community" in choosing a side within Libya is concerned all hope of balance is gone.

    Both sides in this battle are armed: to threaten only one side is wrong. The international community should be promoting dialogue not getting involved. Cameron tonight is even threatening UK military involvement. This is extremely risky and may even make the UK the target of further internal "terrorist" attacks. It is reckless and stupid. It is shocking that the UK, and the international community, has so quickly become so deeply involved in all that is playing out in Libya right now.

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  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. http://prosperoinc.blogspot.com/2011/02/lockerbie-guilt-gaddafi.html?showComment=1298925758012#c7971429908424669317

    Thank goodness for Ian Bell.

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  18. For Grendal:
    MI5
    'Our Values
    In order to protect national security and economic well-being, and to support the law enforcement agencies in preventing and detecting serious crime, we collect and disseminate intelligence, investigate and assess threats and work with others to counter them; advise on protection; and provide effective support for those tasks.'
    MI6
    ....the British Secret Intelligence Service works overseas to make the UK safer and more prosperous.'

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  19. OK Ruth, but Kenny MacAskill and Alex Salmond are Scottish Nationalists. They are unlikely, to say the least, to concern themselves with protecting the UK`s "national interests". If a deal was done between Westminster and Holyrood we should look for an economic motive and as yet nothing has come out.The only mention has been one over "slopping out". Kenny MacAskill wouldn`t be that cheap!

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  20. Surely Scotland has neither its own foreign policy nor its own intelligence service.

    Secondly,what polticians appear as is not necessarilty what they are. I note Salmond accepted Blair's invitation to become a Privy Councillor very soon after Blair came back from Libya in 2007. A Privy Councillors swears as follows:

    You do swear by Almighty God to be a true and faithful Servant unto the Queen's Majesty, as one of Her Majesty's Privy Council. You will not know or understand of any manner of thing to be attempted, done, or spoken against Her Majesty's Person, Honour, Crown, or Dignity Royal, but you will lett and withstand the same to the uttermost of your Power, and either cause it to be revealed to Her Majesty Herself, or to such of Her Privy Council as shall advertise Her Majesty of the same. You will, in all things to be moved, treated, and debated in Council, faithfully and truly declare your Mind and Opinion, according to your Heart and Conscience; and will keep secret all Matters committed and revealed unto you, or that shall be treated of secretly in Council. And if any of the said Treaties or Counsels shall touch any of the Counsellors, you will not reveal it unto him, but will keep the same until such time as, by the Consent of Her Majesty, or of the Council, Publication shall be made thereof. You will to your uttermost bear Faith and Allegiance unto the Queen's Majesty; and will assist and defend all Jurisdictions, Pre-eminences, and Authorities, granted to Her Majesty, and annexed to the Crown by Acts of Parliament, or otherwise, against all Foreign Princes, Persons, Prelates, States, or Potentates. And generally in all things you will do as a faithful and true Servant ought to do to Her Majesty. So help you God. (Wikipedia)

    In the secrecy of the Privy Council you might be told things unknown to the general public that might make you take another course. Perhaps you might be told that in actual fact that the state of the UK economy is on the brink.

    When it comes to matters of national security it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll receive great rewards but of course your career path might go quite smoothly.

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  21. "OK Ruth, but Kenny MacAskill and Alex Salmond are Scottish Nationalists. They are unlikely, to say the least, to concern themselves with protecting the UK`s "national interests"."

    Grendal, there is absolutely no doubts that, nationalists or not, MacAskill and Salmond have indeed protected the UK's national interests as well as those of the Scottish "Justice" system in doing all in their power to ensure the SCCRC still remains unpublished, that an Inquiry is no where in sight and that Megrahi's appeal is now history. Every move they have made was towards those ends. The interests of Scotland, in getting to the truth about Lockerbie, were simply of no interest to them. And believe me, there are some out here who will never recover from the shock of their part in this sorry mess.

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