Lockerbie bomber being released to die in Libya

LONDON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The only person convicted in the Lockerbie bombing is being released from prison on compassionate grounds, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said Thursday.

MacAskill formally announced Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi's release in Edinburgh, saying the man, who has terminal prostate cancer, will be allowed to return to Libya to die after serving eight years of a 27-year minimum sentence on charges of murdering 270 people in Britain's worst terrorist episode.

MacAskill's announcement came almost 21 years after a bomb smuggled onto Pan Am Flight 103 exploded at 31,000 feet (9,449 meters) over the Scottish town of Lockerbie on Dec. 21, 1988. The bombing killed 259 people on board and 11 on the ground. Of the dead, 189 were Americans.

"I am conscious there are deeply held feelings and that many will disagree whatever my decision. However, a decision has to be made," MacAskill said.

"Scotland will forever remember the crime that has been perpetrated against our people and those from many other lands, the pain and suffering will remain forever," he added.

The justice secretary said it was his decision, and his alone, that Megrahi "be released on compassionate grounds and be allowed to return to Libya to die."