Lockerbie bombing suspect in U.S. custody, authorities say
A Libyan man who allegedly made the bomb that blew up a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 is now in U.S. custody, officials said Sunday.
Scottish authorities said Abu Agila Masud had been handed over to the United States to face trial. He was first charged by the U.S. in 2020 with playing an integral part in the Lockerbie attack. The bombing completely destroyed Pan Am Flight 103, killing all 259 people on board and an additional 11 people on the ground when the plane's wreckage fell on their homes.
It remains the deadliest terrorist incident to ever occur in the United Kingdom.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Another Libyan national, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, was convicted of actually carrying out the bombing, and was sentenced to life in prison. He remains the only person convicted for the attack, but joint American and Scottish authorities are now looking to change that with the charges against Masud.
"Scottish prosecutors and police, working with [the] U.K. government and U.S. colleagues, will continue to pursue this investigation, with the sole aim of bringing those who acted along with al-Megrahi to justice," the Scottish Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) told BBC News. COPFS added that the families of the Lockerbie victims had also been notified.
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that Masud is now in American custody, telling the outlet that he is expected to make his first appearance in a Washington, D.C., federal court in the coming days.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi air strikes: why wasn't Parliament consulted?
Today's Big Question It is convention for prime ministers to put military action to a vote but it's not a constitutional requirement
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How Islamic State bombings in Iran could escalate regional war
The Explainer Terrorist group claims responsibility for deadly blasts on 'irredeemable foe' but Tehran likely to ramp up anti-US rhetoric
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
Speed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published