al-Megrahi could be released on compassionate grounds
Lockerbie bomber could be released on compassionate grounds
Scottish ministers are considering releasing Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, on compassionate grounds after discovering he has terminal prostate cancer. Megrahi is currently serving life for murdering 270 people when Pan Am flight 103 exploded in 1988. The bomb killed all 259 people on board and 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland. The plane departed from London and was heading for New York.
The Libyan government has asked for Megrahi to spend the rest of his jail term in Libya. The Libyan government hopes to have the matter resolved in time for Ramadan, the yearly period of fasting for Muslims, despite Megrahi's sentence commanding him to remain in prison for a minimum of 27 years. Megrahi was found guilty in 2001.
The BBC reported that whilst the American relatives of the victims are infuriated by the speculation concerning Megrahi's early release, relatives in the UK have always felt a lack of justice from Megrahi's trial. Martin Cadman, who lost his son in the bombing, told the BBC he believed Megrahi acted with others who still remain to be found. Cadman told the BBC: : "As far as I know the Scottish authorities and no-one else has done anything to try and find who these others were that were supposed to be implicated, so the whole thing is really very unsatisfactory". Megrahi has always denied any responsibility.
South America and Africa unite against World Powers
Hugo Chavez has pledged Venezuela’s assistance in Africa at a summit of South American and African leaders ensuring “South-South” ties.
Human rights warning for Italy
Italy’s policy of forcing African migrant boats back to Libya without screening them for asylum applications has been criticized by the charity organisation Human Rights Watch.
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