Here's the problem. If Basset al-Megrahi was released because of doubts of his guilt, and that release was accelerated because he is dying, then all well and good. But that's definitely not what happened -- at least according to Scotland.
Basset al-Megrahi, though guilty, was released as a humane gesture. And that's wrong -- if he was guilty, and if his sentence was for burning alive (among others) a former schoolmate of mine, then his release was misguided at best. Treat Basset al-Megrahi, have him given proper medical treatment, but don't commute his crime because he will join his victims some two decades plus later.
Scottish parliament recalled over Lockerbie bomber's release
Alice Ritchie, National Post
Monday, Aug 24, 2009
EDINBURGH -- Scotland's justice minister faced an angry grilling from lawmakers Monday over his decision to free the convicted Lockerbie bomber -- and the ensuing furious backlash from the United States.
Scotland's parliament has been recalled for an emergency debate on Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's decision last week to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, who then flew home to a hero's welcome in his Libyan homeland.
A little-known figure before the decision, Mr. MacAskill's now finds himself at the centre of a growing international storm which could damage Edinburgh's ties with Washington -- and could even topple the Scottish government.
In the United States, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the victims' families have all criticised Megrahi's release, with websites emerging urging a boycott of Scottish goods.
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I read somewhere, wish I had the link, that the release was motivated very much by internal politics. Apparently, under the home rule agreement with Scotland, the UK deals in foreign affairs, so Al Megrahi couldn't be released under the prisoner transfer treaty, but Scotland controls compassionate releases and could release him on those grounds. They could then force him to leave as a "security threat". The Scottish minister is a member of the Scottish Nationalist Party and was able to use the release as a lever to meddle in and embarrass the UK in foreign affairs. It's kinda like Quebec/Canada.
If that IS what motivated Scotland it is scraping the depths of dishonourable conduct and I truly hope they are defeated soon because of it.
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