shirleymckie.myfastforum.org

Angeline · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 146

What a terrible, terrible mess. The families who are convinced Mr Megrahi is guilty because he had a trial and a failed appeal have been horribly misled by the justice system - they probably can't bear to think any other way, because the implications are just too great.

Yet, in every case of wrongful conviction, the same issue arises - the families of the victim are encouraged to vent all of their understandable grief and anger towards the person convicted.

Then, years down the line, when it turns out that it wasn't that person at all, and they've been lied to, misled, and cheated by the very authorities that should have brought them justice, the pain must be immeasurable, as they are faced with starting the whole grieving process over again.

I almost can't bear to follow this story - on the one hand, I feel that Mr Megrai should be allowed to go home and die in dignity with his loved ones close by. On the other, to allow him to do so is to give in to the utterly contemptible behaviour of the various authorities who have been involved in the cover-up and corruption that raises such a stink from the case.

As a Scot, I feel betrayed, cheated, and let down by our legal profession and policitians. I am also ashamed to belong to a nation which has not only allowed such an outrageous and disgusting miscarriage of justice, but repeatedly and continuously tried to either cover-up or justify its existence.

Thank god for those who continue to fight, and to put pressure on the Scottish Government- they may be Scotland's only saving grace from this debacle.

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As long as one heart still holds on, then hope will never really be gone

... And Justice For All · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 58

Kevin McLeod (R.I.P), Annie Davies (R.I.P), Annie Borjesson (R.I.P), Luke Mitchell, Brendan Dixon, William Beck, Scottish Crown Office unaccountability and corruption, Scottish Law Society unaccountability and corruption, SCCRC unaccountability and corruption, SLCC unaccountability and corruption, Scottish Police unaccountability and corruption, local government unaccountability and corruption and Scottish establishment unaccountability and corruption in general.

These are just some of the unresolved injustices, miscarriages of justice and issues of criminality, collusion and corruption at the murky hands of Scotland's discredited, beleaguered, outdated, unfair and unjust legal system that Salmond and MacAskill have failed to acknowledge, help with, intervene in, properly address and apologise for over the past two years of their "governance".

Would you trust either of these two men to ultimately be responsible for Megrahi's fate ... and to have the final decision on the Lockerbie case ... the biggest terrorist atrocity that the UK has ever seen and the biggest injustice over the past 20+ years?

I know I wouldn't trust them ... especially given their track record in the many cases of injustice drawn to their attention over the past two years.

Best of luck to all for the future ... you'll need it under this lot ...

http://shirleymckie.myfastforum.org/sutra3324.php#3324

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Latest News on Megrahi

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en...rbie+Megrahi&btnG=Search+News

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Salmond to rule on Lockerbie bomber's return to Libya

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Salmond--to-rule-on.5242562.jp

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... And Justice For All in 2009 - those who are still doggedly pursuing justice for themselves, their loved ones and others.

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Dignity and Justice for All of Us ... including all those Scottish nationals, those many victims of injustice, currently suffering under Scotland's greatly discredited justice system
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When injustice becomes law, rebellion and protest becomes duty

Justice Is Lost, Justice Is Raped, Justice Is Gone. Pulling Your Strings, Justice Is Done. Seeking No Truth, Winning Is All... In Scotland's "Justice" System

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 526

Well we shall see then! If this decision is to be judicial alone then why won't they allow the appeal to continue?? Me thinks they are telling big fibs.

Decision on Lockerbie bomber will be 'judicial alone', says Alex Salmond

May 7 2009

A DECISION on whether the Lockerbie bomber is to be transferred to Libya will be taken on "judicial grounds alone", First Minister Alex Salmond today insisted.

The Libyan authorities submitted a request on Tuesday for the transfer of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi.

The 57-year-old - who has been diagnosed with prostrate cancer - is currently serving a life term in Greenock prison with a minimum of 27 years for the 1988 atrocity in which 270 people died.

His second appeal against conviction began at the Appeal Court in Edinburgh last week, but this must be dropped if his transfer to a Libyan jail is to take place.

Today Mr Salmond said it would have been "greatly to be preferred if the judicial processes of Scotland" were allowed to take their course.

But he insisted that the decision on the prisoner transfer - which will be considered by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill - would be based solely on judicial grounds.

Mr Salmond, who was speaking at First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament, stressed: "What I have said throughout this process is that everything we do as a Government will uphold the integrity of the Scottish judicial system.

"Let me repeat that today and also say the decision made by the Justice Secretary will not be made on economic grounds or on political grounds, it will be made on judicial grounds and judicial grounds alone."

The issue had been raised by Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott, who said that he believed that "al Megrahi should serve his sentence in Scotland".

And the Lib Dem recalled a statement Mr Salmond had made to Holyrood in June 2007, when he said that Scottish law officers and others, including the Secretary General of the United Nations, had given assurances that any sentence that was imposed would be served in Scotland.

Mr Scott then asked Mr Salmond: "Does he stand by that statement he made as First Minister?"

Pat A. Wertheim · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 73 Location: USA

All right, Boys and Girls, time for your Final Exam in your Social Studies and Government Courses. There is only one question and it satisfies the requirements for both courses. Pencils ready? Okay, here is the all-important question:

Q: What do you call a country in which the police are free to manufacture evidence whenever they want, where the courts are free to reject evidence the defendant wants heard, where appeals may be denied regardless of the evidence submitted by the defence, and where the final choice is to have your appeal heard and die in jail or go home and die a guilty man?

Answers (choose one):
A. A Democracy.
B. A Free Country.
C. A Police State.
D. None of the above.

All right, Boys and Girls. Mark your exams and let's grade them. Wullie, would you care to share the correct answer with the rest of the class?
_________________
Pat A. Wertheim
foridents@aol.com

... And Justice For All · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 58

Please Sir ... I think I know the answer to that one!

But since you have elected Wullie to answer on our behalf, I will leave him to do so ... he is more aware of how the Scottish Ministerium für Staatssicherheit operates than most of the rest of us!

All the best.

http://shirleymckie.myfastforum.org/sutra3324.php#3324

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Latest News on Megrahi

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en...rbie+Megrahi&btnG=Search+News

_____________________________

... And Justice For All in 2009 - those who are still doggedly pursuing justice for themselves, their loved ones and others.

_____________________________________________________________

Dignity and Justice for All of Us ... including all those Scottish nationals, those many victims of injustice, currently suffering under Scotland's greatly discredited justice system
_________________
When injustice becomes law, rebellion and protest becomes duty

Justice Is Lost, Justice Is Raped, Justice Is Gone. Pulling Your Strings, Justice Is Done. Seeking No Truth, Winning Is All... In Scotland's "Justice" System

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 526

Lockerbie jail visit 'upsetting'

A South of Scotland MSP is "more convinced than ever" of the innocence of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing after visiting him in jail.

The SNP's Christine Grahame met Abdelbasset Ali al-Megrahi in Greenock prison on Friday morning.

She said the experience had been "quite upsetting" and the Libyan, who has prostate cancer, was "very ill".

Ms Grahame has been working with a campaign seeking to overturn Megrahi's conviction for the 1988 atrocity.

Following the talks she said she was convinced the 57-year-old was innocent.

"I found it quite upsetting, the man is obviously very ill and he is desperate to see his family," she said.

"Whatever it takes, that is the priority."

Transfer agreement

Ms Grahame said he had discussed matters with her which she could not, at present, disclose.

"I am more convinced than ever there has been a miscarriage of justice," she added.

"That is really all I can say."

Megrahi is currently appealing against his conviction for the bombing, for which he is serving a 27-year minimum sentence.

However, Libyan authorities recently applied to the Scottish Government for his transfer out of Scotland.

The move came after a prisoner transfer agreement was ratified by the UK and Libyan governments last week.

Although the appeal can continue while Scottish ministers consider the application, a transfer would not be possible while criminal proceedings are taking place.

That means it would not be possible for Megrahi to return to Libya unless he dropped his appeal.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/...and/south_of_scotland/8039712.stm

Published: 2009/05/08 13:26:25 GMT

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 526

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/95130...ints-at-delays-in-lockerbie-case/

Video on link

First Minister hints at delays in Lockerbie case

Alex Salmond was speaking about Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, who is dying from cancer.

First Minister Alex Salmond has cast doubt on whether Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will be able to rule on the prisoner transfer request from Libya of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi.

Libyan authorities have applied for Megrahi to be moved to Libya under a treaty between that country and the UK. The process should be completed within 90 days.

However, Mr Salmond has said it may be a problem to fulfil the agreement in that time frame.
First Minister hints at delays in Lockerbie case

Mr Salmond said: "In the prisoner transfer agreement, it says this process would normally take 90 days but of course there are unknowns, including the judicial process in Scotland which is not completely under our control."

Meanwhile, a MSP has said Megrahi is in deteriorating health and "absolutely desperate" to see his family.

Christine Grahame, who met the Libyan in Greenock Prison on Friday, refused to say if he intends to abandon his appeal which is now underway in Edinburgh.

Ms Grahame, SNP MSP for South of Scotland, paid an hour-long visit to Megrahi in Greenock, where he is serving a life sentence for the 1988 bombing which killed 270 people.

She said: "I found it quite upsetting. The man is obviously very ill and he is desperate to see his family - absolutely desperate to see his family - so, whatever it takes, that's the priority."

She went on: "I am absolutely more convinced than ever that there has been a miscarriage of justice."

Asked if Megrahi plans to press on with his appeal, she said: "I can't say that - that is for him to say through his lawyers."

Megrahi was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.

... And Justice For All · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 58

Latest News on Megrahi

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en...rbie+Megrahi&btnG=Search+News

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Should this man, jailed for life for the Lockerbie bombing, be freed to die with his family?

http://news.scotsman.com/politics...ld-this-man-jailed-for.5251789.jp

Would you trust either of these two men? ...

http://shirleymckie.myfastforum.org/sutra3371.php#3371

_____________________________

... And Justice For All in 2009 - those who are still doggedly pursuing justice for themselves, their loved ones and others.

_____________________________________________________________

Dignity and Justice for All of Us ... including all those Scottish nationals, those many victims of injustice, currently suffering under Scotland's greatly discredited justice system
_________________
When injustice becomes law, rebellion and protest becomes duty

Justice Is Lost, Justice Is Raped, Justice Is Gone. Pulling Your Strings, Justice Is Done. Seeking No Truth, Winning Is All... In Scotland's "Justice" System

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 526

Lockerbie victim’s dad speaks out: ‘bomb did not leave from Malta’

‘Malta is long overdue for an apology’, Jim Swire

Matthew Vella
Dr James Swire, known for his involvement in the aftermath of the 1988 Pan-Am airline bombing in which his daughter Flora was killed, has spoken to MaltaToday and reiterated his belief that the bomb that exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie killing 270, did not leave from Malta.
Reacting to Malta Today’s story on the doubts concerning key witness Tony Gauci’s testimony against Libyan convict Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, Swire said Malta was “long overdue for exoneration and an apology… I do not believe the bomb that killed my daughter started from there, nor do many others.”
Swire is also a founder member of the Justice for Megrahi campaign which seeks interim release from jail for Megrahi, who has been diagnosed with metastasized prostatic cancer and is terminally ill, so that he can return to his family in Scotland pending his second appeal against conviction.
Swire told MaltaToday that at the trial in the Netherlands, which found Megrahi guilty and convicted him to 27 years’ imprisonment for placing the bomb in the luggage that was found in Pan-Am Flight 103, “there was simply no evidence as to how Megrahi might have penetrated security at Luqa to put the bomb aboard.”
Megrahi, a former Libyan Arab Airlines security official in Malta, was claimed to have bought clothes from Mary’s Shop in Sliema, which were later found wrapped around the bomb. Shopkeeper Tony Gauci was crucial in identifying Megrahi as the man who bought the clothes from him just before Christmas 1988.
But Swire told MaltaToday that Air Malta had kept “exemplary records” of their flight KM180 which showed that all the bags carried belonged to the passengers and that all were returned to their owners, with none left over, at Frankfurt – where the bomb was loaded onto the Pan-Am flight.
“Although Air Malta did force a British TV company to withdraw its allegations that they carried the bomb, I am surprised that neither they nor your government seem to have demanded an explanation for the concealment of evidence from Heathrow, until after the verdict implicating Luqa had been reached. The information only surfaced in Holland in 2000 thanks to the perseverance of the Heathrow security guard who had discovered the break-in,” Swire says.
“The judges were reduced to saying of how Megrahi was supposed to have penetrated security at Luqa and that the absence of evidence was ‘a major problem for the prosecution case’.
“They could surely never have achieved this extraordinary verdict, had they known all the facts.”
On the hand, Swire says the bomb was placed inside the luggage at Heathrow airport.
“In the early hours of the day of the disaster at Heathrow airport, London, there was a break-in allowing access for an unidentified person to the ‘secure’ airside portion of the airport, close to the Iran Air facility and to the baggage assembly shed. In that shed, inside the container in which the explosion was later shown to have occurred, was seen an unauthorised suitcase, which was not removed. It was seen well before the flight from Frankfurt had even landed.
“The most sinister aspect of this information about the break-in at Heathrow is that it was concealed for 12 years, until after the verdict had been reached, yet it was known to our anti-terrorist special branch, and fully recorded in the Heathrow security logbooks.
“A verdict has been brought in, dependent upon activities at Luqa for which there is no evidence, while the information about a probably highly relevant criminal act at Heathrow has been deliberately suppressed. What we need to know now is on whose orders the concealment was carried out and why they ordered it,” Swire said.

Lockerbie appeal
A three-year investigation by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission into whether Megrahi suffered a miscarriage of justice has sent his case back into appeal, with the Libyan’s lawyers claiming there is now substantial evidence undermining the credibility of Tony Gauci’s testimony.
Last week, Megrahi’s lawyers announced that their new evidence showed Gauci had been “coached and steered by Scottish detectives” into wrongly identifying the Libyan, claiming Gauci was interviewed 23 times by Scottish police before giving the evidence that finally led to the conviction for the bombing.
Megrahi’s lawyers will claim that in nearly two dozen formal police interviews, Gauci gave contradictory dates of purchase, changed his account of the sale, and on one occasion appeared to identify the Palestinian terrorist leader Abu Talb as the purchaser.

mvella@mediatoday.com.mt

Gauci and Lockerbie
www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/05/03/t13.html

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 526

"If the appeal is heard, there is not a snowball's chance in hell that the prosecution case will survive." -- Dr Jim Swire, father of Flora who died on Pan Am 103

In the first session of the appeal, which began April 28 and will run until May 22, the defense team is determined to thoroughly discredit the testimony of the main trial witness, Tony Gauci.

Tony Gauci, a Maltese shopkeeper, is said to have identified Abdelbaset Megrahi as the Libyan man who bought, on Dec. 7, 1988, the clothes inside which the bomb that exploded on Pan Am 103 was hidden.

On the basis of old evidence, new evidence and evidence not heard at the trial because it had not been passed to the defense at the time, Maggie Scott, QC, will, in all likelihood, easily convince the five appeal judges that Megrahi is not the man who bought the clothes and that the purchase occurred on Nov. 23, 1988, when there is no evidence suggesting that Megrahi was on the island and when he has an alibi.

Rest of article with pictures is at

http://english.ohmynews.com/artic...437023&no=385213&rel_no=1