Lockerbie bomber to abandon appeal in Scotland

[August 14, 2009]  LONDON (AP) -- Lawyers for the Lockerbie bomber say he is abandoning his second appeal against his conviction for the December 1988 attack as Scottish officials consider his request to be sent home to Libya.

British broadcasters this week said without citing sources that Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi would be released early from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds. He is terminally ill with cancer.

The Scottish government says it has yet to decide on his motion for early release. They are also considering a motion to allow him to serve out his life sentence in Libya.

The former Libyan secret service agent is the sole person convicted for the bombing of Pan Am 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

[Associated Press]

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