Mohammed Abouagela Masud, the former Libyan intelligence operative accused of preparing the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988, was taken into US custody after being abducted from his home by a notorious warlord, according to officials with knowledge of the case.
Masud appeared briefly in a Washington DC court on Monday, charged with setting the timer for the bomb that killed 270 people. The US Department of Justice announced it had custody of Masud at the weekend but provided no details on how he arrived in the US.
Officials told the Guardian that Masud was seized at his home in Tripoli's Abu Salem neighbourhood by forces loyal to Abdel Ghani al-Kikili, known as 'Gheniwa', who commands the Stability Support Authority of the internationally recognised Government of National Unity. Masud had been living at home after being released from prison six months ago, having served a 10-year sentence for crimes under Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
He was taken to a military base in Misrata and held by a militia for around a week before his family were reassured he would return home safely. However, within another week, a 'team of Americans' arrived in Misrata and flew him to Malta on a private jet. Masud's nephew confirmed the family only learned he was in the US when they saw it on the news.
Amnesty International has described al-Kikili as an abusive militia commander with a history of crimes under international law. Al-Kikili has denied the allegations. The exact details of Masud's transfer could not be independently verified, but experts described the account as 'highly plausible'.
