Judge in Lockerbie trial tells prosecutors 'proceed at your own peril'

A US judge in the trial of alleged Pan Am Lockerbie bomb maker Abu Agila Mohammad Masud warned prosecutors on Wednesday that they must proceed with caution regarding evidence. During the pre-trial hearing, Washington District Judge Dabney Friedrich expressed concerns that the prosecution may not be prioritizing the proper certification and notarization of all evidence presented in the case.

She acknowledged the complications stemming from evidence coming from various countries such as Libya, the UK, the US, Malta, and Czechoslovakia. Despite understanding the challenges, Judge Friedrich emphasized that she felt US prosecutors had ample time to ensure the evidence was certified. If Masud is found guilty, failure to authenticate evidence before the trial could lead to an appeal.

Masud, who remained silent in court, is accused of making the bomb that caused Pan Am flight 103 to crash over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing all 259 people on board. Additionally, 11 people were killed on the ground in Lockerbie due to debris from the explosion. US citizens comprised 190 of the 270 victims. The trial, which began on Monday, is set to begin on August 25 following jury selection.

A Netflix series titled The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 has fueled interest in the case, becoming one of Netflix’s top 10 TV shows in the US.