Q&A on the News
Q: What has become of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the Libyan terrorist who was released from a Scottish prison due to his terminal prostate cancer? He was convicted of plotting the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people in 1988. He was released in August 2009 and received as a hero in Libya. At that time, he was estimated to have three months to live.
-- Tony Gardner, Cumming
A: Abdel Baset al-Megrahi is still alive, and in April, he celebrated his 58th birthday at a Libyan mansion, according to the New York Daily News. The Daily News also reported that al-Megrahi blocked the public release of his medical records in late March, and the London Sunday Telegraph reported in September that the Libyan government had paid for the medical evidence that helped al-Megrahi to be released. The Telegraph also reported in February that "Professor Karol Sikora, the London-based doctor who examined al-Megrahi and predicted he would be dead by last October, admitted that the fact the bomber is still alive might be 'difficult' for the families of the 270 victims of the attack." Al-Megrahi was the only terrorist convicted of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing and was sentenced to life in prison in 2001. The UK Independent reported on June 7 that al-Megrahi is "reportedly working on a television documentary which he hopes will clear his name."
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
