Lockerbie bombing trial delayed again as new evidence surfaces

The trial of Abu Agila Mohammad Kheir Al-Marimi, a Libyan man accused in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, has been postponed for a third time, with a new start date set for January of next year. The postponement came just days before jury selection was scheduled to commence in Washington D.C.

Lawyers for Al-Marimi cited "newly discovered evidence" that was previously unknown to both the defense and U.S. prosecutors. This evidence emerged on August 21, prompting the defense to argue that constitutional and ethical obligations required them to investigate this development. Al-Marimi agreed with his lawyers' request for a delay.

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Constitutional and ethical obligations require the defence to investigate this development.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich granted the postponement, acknowledging the potential significance of the new evidence. This marks another significant delay in a case that has spanned nearly four decades, involving numerous twists and turns. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21, 1988, killed all 259 passengers and crew, along with 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie when wreckage fell. A total of 270 people died in the attack.

Al-Marimi, who denies building the bomb, has been in U.S. custody since 2022. Previous postponements were due to the case's complexity, Al-Marimi's ill health, and the defense's need for more preparation time. The joint Scottish-U.S. investigation into the bombing has been ongoing since 1988, with Scottish prosecutors and police committed to supporting the proceedings led by U.S. authorities. Laura Buchan, head of the Lockerbie investigation team at Scotland's Crown Office, acknowledged the adjournment would be disappointing for families involved.

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I recognise that this adjournment will be disappointing for the families and for those who have followed this case over many years.