Relief for relatives as Lockerbie verdict draws near
The families of those who died in the Lockerbie disaster are today finally hearing whether the two Libyans accused of mass murder are innocent or guilty.
A handful of families were in court yesterday to hear Lord Sutherland announce when the judges will hand down their verdict.
Some expressed surprise that the judges did not spend longer deliberating - they retired nearly a fortnight ago - but all were pleased that an end to the long-running trial was in sight.
The Rev John Mosey, speaking on behalf of the British victims of the disaster, said: ‘‘I’m surprised the verdict is so soon but glad from a personal point of view.
‘‘We’ve waited for a long time, we waited over eight years for a trial and have been out here at the trial for nearly a year.’’
The British relatives have always said they will accept the decision of the court and that they trust the three judges to deliver a just verdict.
Mr Mosey, whose 19-year-old daughter Helga died in the tragedy, said: ‘‘My feeling is that we have three men who, from all we have been able to discover, are not politically motivated.
‘‘They have shown themselves to be extremely shrewd and we believe they are going to come to an honest decision based on the evidence they have heard.’’
He said tomorrow would be an emotional day but added: ‘‘It will be a relief to finally know.’’
Whatever the decision, the British families will push for an independent public inquiry into the tragedy.
They want the failings of the intelligence services in allowing a terrorist to place a bomb on board the plane to come under the spotlight.
They also want to expose the failings of the aviation authorities in allowing a bomb to get through airport security measures and on to the plane.
Mr Mosey said: ‘‘We want to know why it was allowed to happen, when there was so much intelligence.
‘‘We want to know why there were so many empty seats on the plane just before Christmas and why some people were warned not to get on the plane.
‘‘The big question is why we have been so badly let down by governments and agencies employed to protect us.’’
Relatives of many of the Americans who died on the plane are convinced the two Libyans - Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah - are guilty.
They will be satisfied with nothing less than a guilty verdict tomorrow and are already expressing their fears that the speed of the verdict could indicate an acquittal.
If there is an acquittal, claims that it was a ‘‘show trial’’ and that justice has not be done will be expressed.
Peter Lowenstein, whose 21-year-old son Alexander died, said: ‘‘I have a very mixed reaction today. I am happy that the verdict is being issued quickly rather than being dragged out.
‘‘But I feel concerned about the speed of the verdict and fear it could mean the verdict will be the one we don’t want - not guilty.
‘‘We believe they are guilty and if they are acquitted we will continue to believe that.
‘‘There is no question in my mind that they are guilty. I don’t think there is reasonable doubt.’’
He added: ‘‘If they are found guilty we know they didn’t do it by themselves - it goes right up to the top.’’
American Bruce Smith, a former Pan Am pilot, lost his English-born wife Ingrid, 31, as she flew to join him for Christmas in the United States.
He said today: ‘‘I thought they would be ready to give their verdict. They have had eight months to consider this and to think about the evidence.
‘‘They would have been developing an opinion as they went along.’’
Mr Smith expects a guilty verdict but said that is ‘‘only a small step towards what should be done.’’
‘‘There is lots of evidence against the Libyan government and the blame should lie with them.’’
Mr Smith insisted that the Libyans on trial were at the ‘‘bottom of the chain of command’’ which led to the deaths of 270 people.
He said Libya must still face a civil trial for the destruction of the airliner in a case filed seven years ago in the United States.
