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| Bid to transfer Lockerbie bomber | Bid to transfer Lockerbie bomber |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The Libyan authorities have requested that the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing be transferred from Scotland. | The Libyan authorities have requested that the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing be transferred from Scotland. |
| The application for the transfer of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was received by the Scottish Government. | The application for the transfer of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was received by the Scottish Government. |
| The move came after a prisoner transfer agreement was ratified by the UK and Libyan governments last week. | The move came after a prisoner transfer agreement was ratified by the UK and Libyan governments last week. |
| Megrahi was convicted in 2001 of carrying out the 1988 atrocity, which claimed 270 lives when Pan-Am flight 103 exploded over the Scottish town. | Megrahi was convicted in 2001 of carrying out the 1988 atrocity, which claimed 270 lives when Pan-Am flight 103 exploded over the Scottish town. |
| The Scottish Government, which has the final say on the transfer request, said the application would be considered by officials and advise ministers. | |
| I am not opposed to this, simply because I don't believe the man is guilty as charged Dr Jim SwireFather of Lockerbie victim | I am not opposed to this, simply because I don't believe the man is guilty as charged Dr Jim SwireFather of Lockerbie victim |
| Under the terms of the prisoner transfer agreement, it is thought the process could take about 90 days - although it could take longer if further information is required. | Under the terms of the prisoner transfer agreement, it is thought the process could take about 90 days - although it could take longer if further information is required. |
| Al-Megrahi, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, is currently being held in Greenock Prison. | Al-Megrahi, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, is currently being held in Greenock Prison. |
| The 57-year-old, who has already lost one appeal, has been conducting a second appeal against his conviction. It is being heard by five judges in Edinburgh. | The 57-year-old, who has already lost one appeal, has been conducting a second appeal against his conviction. It is being heard by five judges in Edinburgh. |
| Although the appeal can continue while Scottish ministers consider the application from the Libyan authorities, a transfer would not be possible while criminal proceedings are taking place. | Although the appeal can continue while Scottish ministers consider the application from the Libyan authorities, a transfer would not be possible while criminal proceedings are taking place. |
| That means it would not be possible for al-Megrahi to return to Libya unless he dropped his appeal. | That means it would not be possible for al-Megrahi to return to Libya unless he dropped his appeal. |
| Dr Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora was on board the Pan Am flight, said it was only right Megrahi should be allowed home. | Dr Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora was on board the Pan Am flight, said it was only right Megrahi should be allowed home. |
| "I am not opposed to this, simply because I don't believe the man is guilty as charged and I don't think Megrahi should be in prison," he said. | "I am not opposed to this, simply because I don't believe the man is guilty as charged and I don't think Megrahi should be in prison," he said. |
| Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond previously raised concern that his government was not consulted by UK ministers before a memorandum of understanding on prisoner transfer was signed with Libya. | Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond previously raised concern that his government was not consulted by UK ministers before a memorandum of understanding on prisoner transfer was signed with Libya. |
| A spokesman for the then prime minister, Tony Blair, insisted at the time that no deal had been signed over the future of Megrahi, who was tried under Scottish law at a specially convened court at Camp Zeist, in the Netherlands. | A spokesman for the then prime minister, Tony Blair, insisted at the time that no deal had been signed over the future of Megrahi, who was tried under Scottish law at a specially convened court at Camp Zeist, in the Netherlands. |