Lockerbie bomber halts appeal

Lawyers for Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi , the man convicted in the Lockerbie bombing, said their client will not continue with his appeal. This was his second appeal challenging the conviction.

The BBC reported yesterday that the Libyan may be freed due to compassionate grounds in the coming week because al-Megrahi is dying of cancer. The Lockerbie bombing happened 21 years ago, killing 270 people. A bomb blew up Pan Am Flight 103, killing all 259 on board and 11 people on the ground when it plummeted near the Scottish town of Lockerbite. The 51-year-old al-Megrahi was given a life sentence after his conviction. This morning, his lawyers said their client's conditioned had worsened. This may be why the appeal has been abandoned. According to his legal representatives, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi asked the Edinburgh High Court to drop his appeal a few days ago. Speaking to the BBC, a spokesperson for his legal representatives Taylor and Kelly said: "As the appeal hearing has commenced... leave of the court is required before the appeal can be formally abandoned." The news of his possible release had been met with anger by some of the relatives who lost loved ones in the Lockerbie attack whilst some remain convinced of the Libyan's innocence. The United States government also objected to the possibility of him being freed. Following a a trial which lasted more than 80 days back in 2001, al-Megrahi was found guilty and was sentenced to serve at least 27 years imprisonment.