Libyan official confidant extradition of Gaddafi ‘hitman’ accused in Lockerbie terror attack
Mohammed Ali Abdallah, advisor to the current US-recognized Tripoli-based Libyan government, told Fox News he is confident that accused bomb maker Abu Agila Masud will be charged in the U.S. Greg Palkot reports.
Attorney General William Barr announced the indictment of the suspected maker of the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Monday marks 32 years since the terror attack, which left 270 people dead, including 190 Americans, among them students and service members.
"Let there be no mistake: no amount of time or distance will stop the United States, and its partners in Scotland, from pursuing justice in this case," Barr told reporters.
Crash investigators search the area around the cockpit of Pan Am flight 103 in a farmer's field east of Lockerbie Scotland after a mid-air bombing killed all 259 passengers and crew, and 11 people on the ground. (Reuters)
Prior to the announcement, a top Libyan government official confirmed to Fox News the reputed bomber is in custody in Libya, has been interrogated, charged and found guilty of several "heinous crimes" involving explosives committed by the former regime of Muammar al-Gaddafi.
Mohammed Ali Abdallah, adviser to the current US-recognized Tripoli-based Libyan government, described Masud during a Zoom interview as a "very, very evil man" – a "hit man" for Gaddafi who was "called on a lot regarding timed bombings."
DOJ NEARS CHARGES AGAINST LIBYAN BOMBMAKER IN 1988 LOCKERBIE ATTACK
Barr credited the breakthrough to intelligence from the current Libyan government, which replaced the toppled Muammar al-Gaddafi regime. Masud was arrested in 2012 and interrogated over his involvement in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
DOJ charges third suspect in 1988 Pan Am bombing
Attorney General William Barr announces the indictment of the suspected maker of the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
It is reported that Masud built the bomb that was planted in a suitcase by Abdel Basset al-Megrahi that brought the Pan Am plane down over Scotland.
"Nothing would surprise me with regard to (Masud’s involvement in) crimes carried out like the Lockerbie incident," Abdallah told Fox News.
Megrahi, the only person convicted and jailed in connection with the attack, was later freed and died of cancer in 2012.
Scottish rescue workers and crash investigators search the area around the cockpit of Pan Am flight 103 in a farmer's field east of Lockerbie Scotland after a mid-air bombing killed all 259 passengers and crew, and 11 people on the ground. (Reuters)
The Libyan government official told Fox News they have have received "good signals" regarding Masud’s possible extradition from a Tripoli prison to face charges in the U.S. regarding the terror attack.
"If we receive a good commitment from the U.S.," Abdallah said, "I’m pretty confident this will have…a positive outcome."
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If Masud was brought to trial in the U.S., it would be the first person who faced justice for the Lockerbie bombing in America.
Analysts says a trial and potential conviction could bring comfort to the families of the victims of the terror attack who have long thought their concerns have not been addressed
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Only one other suspect was charged with al-Megrahi in connection with the 1988 bombing, and he was found not guilty.
"The Libyan people stand by the victims’ families and understand what they’re going through…in this horrendous crime," Abdallah concluded.