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Christine Grahame: Lockerbie bomber Al-Megrahi is home. And he is innocent
Monday, 24 August 2009
enlargeThe release of the so-called Lockerbie bomber was long overdue, for the case against him was politically driven
I became involved with Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi quite by accident. Like many people I had been suffering from Lockerbie fatigue. For me, and for you, I suppose, life had moved on from that horrendous crime over 20 years ago and the imprisonment of the Libyan murderer. That was that.
At least it was, until I agreed, by chance, to sponsor the showing of a Dutch documentary about the Lockerbie bombing at Parliament. I invited all MSPs and researchers, and indeed the press corps, to see this film. One MSP and one member of the press came, and I really only saw it because I felt obliged to attend. But that film changed my perspective. From that casual moment, and from much that I have learned since, I am convinced not only that Megrahi was not found guilty "beyond reasonable doubt", the test in Scot's law, but that he is an innocent man.
He is not a saint, of course – he had a history with Libyan intelligence – but his hands are clean over Lockerbie. For you should recall that five months before the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on that dark, wild December night just before Christmas in 1988, an American military cruiser, the Vincennes, shot down an Iranian passenger plane carrying 290 pilgrims. No one has been charged, let alone prosecuted, over that, even though it was all captured on film.
It is reasonable to deduce that when an American plane carrying, as some believed, military personnel back home to their religious festival, is blasted out of the sky, the finger of suspicion should not point first at Libya. Iran, maybe. However, Iran had to be kept on side because of the Iraq/Kuwait conflict. The Iran/Syria connection was soon dropped, and so Libya was indeed blamed. Here was a credible culprit.
To successfully frame a nation, pick one like Libya, in which all the baddies of the Middle East are personified in a recognisable hate figure like Gadhafi. If you want to frame a man, pick one with a feasible track record. Then first sell it to the world through the press and, hey presto!
But back to that film, which has not yet been seen here. After watching this disconcerting documentary, which challenged the reliability of key evidence, I got into conversations that night with Dr Jim Swire, with a forensic police scientist who had to label those bodies scattered across hundreds of acres of dark wintry hillside, with Father Patrick Keegan, the priest who lived in Sherwood Crescent (the only person who survived in that street) and with others. None of them supported the case against al-Megrahi.
Since then I have met the man at the centre of it all on several occasions. Our first meeting took place on a blustery morning some months ago. Afterwards I was confronted by a crowd of reporters who waited until I emerged one hour later from speaking to a man so detested, so reviled by many that death in prison from cancer would be too good for him.
He was sitting in front of a laptop, across the table in a room set aside of lawyers and their clients. His English was excellent and I remember trying to impress upon him that I was there for the duration, and not just this one visit. I told him that if I thought for one minute he was guilty I would walk out of the room. But he was intent on scrolling through the pages of the trial, pausing now and then to emphasise a point. Perhaps he was listening.
On subsequent visits we could go straight to the point, and deal with "prisoner transfer": to qualify he would have to abandon the appeal which could allow him to clear his name. We also talked more of his family and the growing need, as his health worsened, as it clearly was doing, to be with them. It was then that his composure was momentarily lost; the emotion and tension were tangible. But although his priority was to be with them in his last days, he told me he did not want his name to go down in history as the Lockerbie bomber. He told me, in short, that he did not do it. I told him again that I thought he was innocent.
Let me make one thing clear: I understand the hatred some feel for him, particularly the US relatives of the dead. It is, however, misplaced and it is in order to unravel for them the true story of Lockerbie, as much as to liberate an innocent man, that I and others worked hard for his compassionate release. This would have allowed the appeal process to be exhausted and evidence-led. The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission considered there was evidence vital enough for it to consider that there might have been a miscarriage of justice. That evidence, particularly relating to the identification of al-Megrahi linking him directly to the bombing has never and will now never be tested in a Scottish court.
My final meeting with him was on 23 July. He requested that it be private and I have kept my word till now. Apart from discussing his deteriorating health, increasing frailty and his family, we discussed at length his compassionate release. He wanted my advice. I told him I thought he had nothing to lose because if it was rejected he could abandon his appeal and take the prisoner transfer route. I advised him to consult his legal team.
The next day he applied for compassionate release. Stupidly, I thought there was a good chance that after his death at home his appeal could still be pursued, by his family. But, like al-Megrahi, I am a tiny cog in an elaborate mechanism. Last week he abandoned his appeal. His counsel advised the court that he believed that to do so would "assist" with his "applications".
The previous week I had received an email from a whistleblower in the Justice Department telling me that the Libyan officials were being told in no uncertain terms that he must drop his appeal or there would be no compassionate release.
Al-Megrahi was a desperate man, but I believe there are other desperate men and women – in the US Justice Department and in Whitehall, – all with their own reasons for wanting that appeal to be ditched. Now he is home, but he is still, officially, a guilty man.
Those who believe him guilty are crying foul. So are those of us who believe him innocent. And then there are those who are happily sipping their claret, their eyes on a comfortable unblemished retirement. As for any inquiry, that's out there in the long grass. They are people in authority who are relying on Lockerbie fatigue setting in again. It mustn't.
The SNP's Christine Grahame is a Member of the Scottish Parliament
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Comments
26 Comments
justice must be seen to be done...the fundamental principal of any societies justice system. McCaskill failed to preserve that principal.
He is a disgrace to Scotland.
Posted by bill blair | 07.09.09, 05:39 GMT
It was a matter for the Scottish Justice Minister and the Scottish Parliament over which the PM has no authority!
Posted by malachy mulligan | 03.09.09, 08:48 GMT
The Gulf War had no relevance to the plan to blame Libya which predated the Lockerbie bombing. The indictment was announced long after the Gulf War.
Fisk writes "the bag that contained the bomb was actually put onto the luggage carousel for checking in by this passengers Lebanese handler." Does he expect anybody to take him seriously? At what Airport do you put luggage on a carousel to check-in?
The "big lie" of Lockerbie is that the bomb arrived at Heathrow from Frankfurt. Look to Tehran and Damascus? Look to London and Washington.
Posted by porkylinda | 28.08.09, 11:01 GMT
There should a full independent inquiry into Lockerbie headed by an international panel. Of course this will never happen because the British government (not devolved Scottish one) don't want it. The US government doesn't want it. It would open up a can of worms. It is all very well for those to be angry at Scotland. Their anger should be directed at the British and US administrations. I recommend reading Trail of the Octopus by Lester K. Coleman and Donald Goddard to see how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
Posted by Alice, Wonderland | 25.08.09, 06:30 GMT
Wouldn't get too many votes in the US to support Scotlands compasion would it? It seems OK to invite terrorists to the white house. Not to mention Mr. Mitchells advice to put them in goverment and let all the murders out. I wonder if he would have given the same advice after the trade centre murders. Honesty it's not about votes Lose your riding with pride. Suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Stick to your principals.
Posted by fred needham | 25.08.09, 05:12 GMT
I am very proud to be Scottish at this moment and very proud of Kenny MacAskill that he stood his ground amid fierce opposition from the great power and voice of America and its prestigious leaders. I am proud to be a citizen of a country with a compassionate judicial system and I am so grateful that we have a Scottish Parliament that shows the world that we are a people with values. It is interesting that some of the Scottish people who lost loved ones in that horrendous Locherbie disaster are not convinced that Megrahi is guilty. Personally, I cannot understand people being outraged that a person (no matter who they are or what they've done) cannot be allowed to go home to die. Finally, I have never voted SNP, but when the election comes along I will be voting for them - because of their compassion and because of the very brave Kenny MacAskill. I would love the opportunity to meet him and shake his hand. He is, in my mind a much greater person than the famous leaders of the USA.
Posted by Elizabeth Duncan | 24.08.09, 17:36 GMT
270 dead. 8 years in prison.
Thats a week and a half inside for each person murdered.
Scotland should hang it's head in shame.
Posted by mk | 24.08.09, 11:20 GMT
If al-Megrahi is guilty (and that's a huge if), whether he showed compassion to his victims is not the issue here. Scotland has acted independently of international pressure and shown it has a backbone.
It has also shown that most fundamental of human values, more fundamental even than justice - compassion.
Where would we be without that ?
Posted by Yip | 24.08.09, 09:51 GMT
Well done Scotland for showing independence of thought, compassion in judgement, courage and backbone.
Posted by Yip | 24.08.09, 09:48 GMT
i will never return to scottland ......
Posted by tom sahlender | 24.08.09, 05:33 GMT
Lets send Ian Brady the child killer back to Scotland on compassionate grounds. He comes from Glasgow and his real name is Ian Scott, 'Brady' was the name he took on from one of his mothers lovers! What an embarassment eh! Libyan killer sent home! Tell the the families of his victims the reason why!
Posted by mike monahan | 23.08.09, 22:56 GMT
If ever a case deserved a Public Inquiry it is this one. After all, this is the UK's largest ever 'terrorist' atrocity.
A criminal case within the UK needs to proven beyond a reasonable doubt. There is a massive amount of reasonable doubt in this case. This was a very convienient conviction for a lot of people, and more importantly, a lot of countries.
I am glad that this bloke is free. In my own personal opinion, after looking at the case in detail, he is not guilty of the crime that he was convicted of. You should take the time to access the German Police evidence that Mr Fisk has referred to, it makes very interesting reading. If you find the word 'Libya' mentioned anywhere, please let me know where you find it. The 1989 police operation was called Autumn Leaves.
I will be even more glad when they prosecute the 'terrorists' who actually murdered all these people, no matter who or what they are. However, I will not be holding my breath until that happens.
Posted by Will Hawkes | 23.08.09, 11:49 GMT
Thanks for this article.
Megrahi's behaviour and his lack of remorse (held against him by those convinced of his guilt) is consistent with his innocence, as are Gaddafi's actions.
Gaddafi would not have sent him for trial if he had done it, would he? Gaddafi was blackmailed into paying compensation for the bombing, and the decision to do so must have been agonising for him.
As you point out, the evidence against Megrahi seems as dodgy as any dossier. He is one of a long list of ill-targeted scapegoats for atrocities demanded by American public opinion. Rich considering their funding of the IRA, ironically only ended by 9-11.
Each time I hear Megrahi called "the Lockerbie Bomber", I correct that to "the Lockerbie Scapegoat".
Though I am pleased he has been released, I am disappointed that "reasonable doubt" as to his guilt was not officially acknowledgedby the Scottish government: perhaps it could not be for reasons of due process.
Posted by Skeptician | 23.08.09, 10:42 GMT
Scotland the Naive.
Posted by lh | 23.08.09, 02:55 GMT
Something dodgy about the whole thing; leave it !
Posted by Malachy McAnespie | 22.08.09, 12:23 GMT
Robert Fisk article is fantastic. At last some truth on the Lockerbie subject! Well done BT for publishing this.
Posted by OK Computer | 22.08.09, 10:15 GMT
Wow @ Truthseeker's comment.
Posted by Wow and behold | 22.08.09, 09:42 GMT
Linydy's article = Bandwagon. Jumping.
Posted by All A Bored | 22.08.09, 09:41 GMT
Does anyone think that this man was purely released on compassionate grounds?Given that Britain and the USA have now vast interests in the former pariah state of Libya.That country is awash with British & US businessmen and agents tapping into Libya's vast oil reserves. What better way to cement this recent business relationship than to release an infamous prisoner to them on a feast day in the country (bible readers may see something familiar there). And there you go, the new clients & hosts are happy and will give more cooperation to the investors, the US doesnt loose face and gives its 'condemnation' of the act while still seeming to support the US victims familes. As Del Boy would say, "everyones a winner". It's all business. Something to think about.
Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 21.08.09, 09:04 GMT
Anyone wanting to know the truth about Lockerbie should read 'Trail of the Octopus - From Beirut to Lockerbie' by Donald Goddard and Lester Coleman. Of course it is a book that is hard to get because it was banned. But you can find copies online. Coleman had been ordered to spy on the DEA in Cyprus which, along with the CIA, was running a series of "controlled deliveries" of Lebanese heroin through the airports of Frankfurt and London en route to America. Coleman discovered that security of this "sting" operation had been breached and warned the American Embassy that a disaster was waiting to happen. It was ignored. Seven months later, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie. Among the dead was a DEA courier. Over the last four years Washington has ensured that the blame for the bombing rests with Libyan terrorists.
Posted by TruthSeeker | 21.08.09, 07:06 GMT
26 Comments