Mandela to Visit Jailed Lockerbie Bomber

The former South African president, Nelson Mandela, hopes next week to visit the Libyan convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. A spokeswoman for Mr Mandela said yesterday he planned to visit Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in Barlinnie prison, Glasgow, to check on his welfare. Mr Mandela...
The former South African president, Nelson Mandela, hopes next week to visit the Libyan convicted of the Lockerbie bombing.

A spokeswoman for Mr Mandela said yesterday he planned to visit Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in Barlinnie prison, Glasgow, to check on his welfare.

Mr Mandela played a key role in persuading the Libyan leader Muammar Gadafy to hand over the two men suspected of involvement in the 1988 atrocity for trial at the Scottish court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands.

Megrahi was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and sentenced to life.

Mr Mandela's spokeswoman said that he had been closely involved in the whole process adding: "It would be expected from him to go and see the circumstances under which the prisoner was held."

Mr Mandela has criticised the west for failing to lift all sanctions against Libya since the Lockerbie trial.


© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 6/6/2002
 
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Your Comments:
Your Name:
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
Recipient Email Address:
 Separate multiple email addresses by ;
Your Name:
Your Email Address: