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Kerry Condemns Release of Lockerbie Bomber

Washington, DC—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), released the following statement today in response to the release of convicted Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Basset Mohamed al-Megrahi:

"The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was horrific and unforgivable. 270 people, including 189 American citizens, lost their lives in what was, before September 11, 2001, the deadliest terrorist attack ever committed against the United States. Abdel Basset Mohamed al-Megrahi was sentenced to life in prison for this terrorist attack and he should serve out his full sentence behind bars in a Scottish prison. I, along with six fellow Senators, pressed the Scottish Executive not to grant Megrahi early compassionate release. Megrahi showed no compassion to the innocent passengers and Scottish villagers who died that day; he should not receive our compassion now. Justice is ill-served by his early release."

"My thoughts are with the families who continue to suffer as a result of this tragedy."

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