Scottish Government

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced on August 20, 2009 his decisions on the applications for prisoner transfer and compassionate release in relation to Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi, the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing.

Mr MacAskill decided to release Mr Al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds due to the fact he had terminal cancer with perhaps three months left to live.

The following documents provide background to this decision:

• Lockerbie Timeline
• Prisoner Transfer Process and Mr Megrahi's Application
• Compassionate Release Process and Mr Megrahi's Application
• Additional correspondence relating to the case
• Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's statement on decision - August 20, 2009
• Q&A relating to Mr MacAskill's decision
• Compassionate Release - data of granted and refused cases from 1993 to 2010
• Scottish Government's Response to UK Cabinet Secretary's Review of Papers Relating to the Release of Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi

Related information

• Parliamentary statement on Lockerbie by Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill, February 29, 2012