The trial of Abu Agila Masud, the man accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, has been postponed for a third time in the United States after lawyers said newly discovered evidence had come to light. Families of the victims said they were 'absolutely floored' by the delay.
Masud denies making the bomb that killed all 259 passengers and crew and 11 people on the ground when the aircraft exploded above Lockerbie, 40 minutes into its flight from London to New York in 1988. Jury selection had been due to begin tomorrow in Washington DC.
The postponement was announced after defence lawyers said they wanted to examine the new evidence. US District Judge Dabney Friedrich mentioned the discovery in the decision to delay the trial, though no further details were given.
Families react to the postponement
Kara Weipz, president of Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, lost her brother Rick Monetti in the atrocity. She told BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme: "As we're processing the shock, there's a lot of, 'I can't believe this is happening.'"
Weipz described the anxiety leading into the week, with jury selection and the anticipation of opening statements. She said: "And you know, everyone needs to stay healthy. You know, everything needs to fall into place. Everything still needs to work out right so that we can have this trial." She added: "I was floored today when I found out, absolutely floored."
Despite the surprise, Weipz said the delay could be worthwhile if the evidence helps uncover more of the truth. She said: "That's always been my goal... for as many family members to be able to witness this trial as possible, and to gain more of the truth. And listen, if that's what this evidence brings, that's what the families have been fighting for for almost four decades. We want the truth. We want to know what happened. And if that's what this brings, then this time will be worth it."
Case background and next steps
Former Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi remains the only man convicted in relation to the bombing. He was found guilty of 270 counts of murder by a panel of three Scottish judges sitting at a special court in the Hague in 2001. He was sent to prison in Scotland but was granted compassionate release in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, returning to Libya where he died in 2012.
A hearing is scheduled to take place in Washington next month to discuss the status of the case. Scottish prosecutors have always maintained that Megrahi acted with others in carrying out the attack.
Commenting on the postponement, Laura Buchan, head of the Lockerbie investigation team at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: "I recognise that this adjournment will be disappointing for the families and for those who have followed this case over many years. As the matter remains before the court, it would not be appropriate to comment on the reasons for the adjournment. Although these proceedings are being led by the United States authorities, Scottish prosecutors and police officers remain fully committed to supporting the pursuit of justice."
