Lockerbie bombing trial will factor in Ramadan for witness testimony
Plans for the long-awaited trial of alleged Lockerbie bomb maker Abu Agila Mohammad Masud Al Marimi have taken Ramadan, forecast to start on February 7, into account. All 259 people on board Pan Am Flight 103 died in the 1988 terrorist attack for which Mr Al Marimi is accused. Eleven were killed on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland, by falling debris from the explosion, which occurred shortly…
The trial of alleged Lockerbie bomber Abu Agila Mohammad Masud Al Marimi will consider Ramadan, which is set to begin on February 7, 2027. The 1988 terrorist attack killed 259 people on Pan Am Flight 103, with all victims aboard and 11 on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland. The US government filed charges against Al Marimi in 2020 after his arrest in 2022, and he pleaded not guilty in 2023.
Judge Dabney Friedrich recently set a target of starting jury selection in January 2027. However, the upcoming Muslim fasting month could impact the trial's start date. If jury selection begins on January 19, 2027, witness testimony might not commence until January 25, leaving only 10 days before Ramadan begins. One of the government's witnesses, Alison Pargeter, an expert in Libyan history, is expected to testify.
Both sides are concerned about online prediction and betting markets potentially influencing the trial. Over 150 pieces of evidence, including crash evidence, passports, hotel records, receipts, telegrams, baggage tags, and letters, will be presented, many of which originate from Libya, the UK, the US, Malta, and Czechoslovakia. A Netflix series titled "The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103" has also generated interest in the case.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Lockerbie bombing trial will factor in Ramadan for witness testimony thenationalnews.com
