Lockerbie bomber Megrahi ‘close to death’ in Libya

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the only man ever convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing in which 270 people lost their lives, is reported to be in a coma and close to death in a hospital in Tripoli, according to Sky News. And even in his final hours, the Libyan continues to attract controversy.

First it was his conviction. As Alexander Cockburn wrote for The First Post in July, many legal experts and serious journalists remain convinced it was a stitch-up because it suited the US and Britain to pin the crime on Libya. Megrahi and his family have always denied his guilt.

Then it was his release in August 2009 from Greenock jail that attracted opprobrium. If Megrahi was guilty as charged of killing 270 people, whose relatives were still grieving, then how could he possibly be allowed to go home to Libya, even if he was suffering from terminal prostate cancer? The Scottish authorities took a hammering for allowing his compassionate release.

Then came the realisation that the man given only three months to live was, in fact, surviving far beyond his 'deadline'. The anger of politicians and victim's relatives grew when it was discovered Megrahi was still alive seven months after doctors issued their 'three-months-to-go' prognosis. When it reached the point that he'd lived a whole year beyond his release, the fury was such that there were even calls for Megrahi to be sent back to Scotland and reincarcerated.

Now, finally, there's yet more controversy. Last week, Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi said Megrahi's family intended to sue the Scottish authorities for compensation because they believe he was "neglected" during his time in Greenock jail.

Speaking to staff and students at the London School of Economics via a video link, Gaddafi said: "His health was not looked after in prison. He didn't have any periodic examination. I wish him a long life."

Even on his deathbed, his family, and his government, are determined to keep his name in the headlines.

His death is expected soon, according to the Tripoli source quoted by Sky News. "He is on life support and has been for some days...
Every day, his loved ones expect it to be his last." ·