ATTORNEY GENERAL STATEMENT REGARDING UPHELD CONVICTION
IN PAN AM 103 CASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Scottish High Court of Justiciary upheld the conviction of Abdel Basset Ali Megrahi on conspiracy to murder charges for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21, 1988. Megrahi was convicted of murder by a three judge Scottish Court on January 31, 2001 after more than eight months of trial.

Today's ruling upholds the court's findings Megrahi, an officer of the Libyan Security Service, caused an explosive device to detonate aboard Pan Am Flight 103, thereby killing the flight's 259 passengers and crew, as well as 11 residents of Lockerbie, Scotland. The defendant faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under Scottish law.

In response to today's verdict, Attorney General Ashcroft made the following statement:

"I want to extend the Department of Justice's profound appreciation and congratulations to our Scottish colleagues who investigated, prosecuted and successfully argued the case on appeal."

"I also want to thank the attorneys in the Justice Department's Criminal Division, the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section and the FBI for their devotion and tireless efforts in helping bring this case to justice."

"I want to express deepest sympathy to the families of all those killed in the bombings of Pam Am Flight 103. Nothing can undo the suffering that this act of terrorism has caused. I hope this ruling affirming Megrahi's conviction will serve to bring some solace to the families. Today's decision underscores the commitment of the United States and the United Kingdom to see that justice is served by this prosecution."

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