This is the text of a letter sent today to the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, the Lord Advocate, The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice by the Justice for Megrahi Campaign Group.


In light of the fact that Mr. Abdelbaset Mohmed Ali al-Megrahi currently finds himself in a war zone, we wish to ascertain whether or not the Scottish Government, the Scottish Prison Service, Crown Office or other responsible Scottish authorities has any ongoing responsibility for his safety and care and if so what those commitments are? Are there any agreements/conditions with Mr. Megrahi or the Libyan government or their representatives related to his release and residence in Libya?

Given the ongoing conflict in Libya, has Mr. Megrahi or anyone on his behalf made representations to the Scottish Government in relation to his safety? Has he been or will he be offered assistance or advice or the opportunity to return to Scotland, where his safety and medical requirements can be catered for in the company of his family until such time as the conflict in Libya has resolved itself?

In addition to the obvious perils anyone living in such circumstances would face, there are obviously additional and very real threats to which Mr. al-Megrahi is exposed given the unsubstantiated claims concerning the bombing of Pan Am 103 being made by members of the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya: now recognised as the official government of Libya by the UK. To compound this, demands have been made over the past few months by American officials to arrest and retry Mr. al-Megrahi in the US. Clearly, having been tried and convicted under the arrangements laid down for the Kamp van Zeist trial, to which the United States agreed, Mr. al-Megrahi is still subject to Scottish jurisdiction. One assumes, therefore, that Scotland has a duty of care for the prisoner.

Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to your response to our questions.



Yours faithfully,

Robert Forrester (Secretary, Justice for Megrahi) on behalf of Justice
for Megrahi.