Understand
Trial date set for Libyan accused of making Lockerbie bomb
Overview
A trial date of 19 January has been set in Washington DC for Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, the Libyan man accused of making the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie on 21 December 1988. Judge Dabney Friedrich warned against any further delays to the proceedings for the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history, which killed 270 people. Al-Marimi denies two counts of destruction of an aircraft resulting in death, disputing a 2012 confession claimed by prosecutors.
Key points
- The trial of Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi is scheduled to begin on 19 January in Washington DC.
- Judge Dabney Friedrich warned she will not tolerate further delays following a postponement from August due to new evidence.
- Al-Marimi is accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 on 21 December 1988, killing 270 people.
- He denies the charges and claims a previous confession was made under duress.
- If convicted, Al-Marimi faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.