Relatives of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing are upset as they have been told they will not be permitted to watch the trial of a Libyan suspect from the comfort of their own homes. Abu Agila Masud is alleged to have built the bomb that led to the crash of Pan Am 103 in 1988. As televised trials are not permitted in US courts, the Department of Justice had suggested giving those directly affected by the bombing tightly controlled online access to the proceedings. However, US district judge Dabney Friedrich has now rejected this notion over concerns that Masud’s right to a fair trial would be affected. Family members are allowed to watch the trial at designated secure locations, such as US embassies and courthouses, however, it is unclear how this arrangement will work in the UK.
The Lockerbie Victims Access Act was passed by American politicians, directing the court to make reasonable efforts to provide video and telephone access to the trial for people directly affected by the bombing. The FBI identified over 400 people around the world related to victims or who suffered from “emotional injury” from witnessing the aftermath. Among these individuals, 100 were Scottish and 32 came from Lockerbie.
American relatives had initially proposed the offer of remote access to the trial, as many of them “were too old or infirm to travel to Washington.” Those who wanted to watch the trial from the UK complained about the inconvenient arrangement but said they understood why strict measures were put in place. Judge Freidrich emphasized how she did not wish to have a “trial overturned or questioned on appeal” due to concerns surrounding Masud’s constitutional rights.
Masud’s alleged involvement in the Lockerbie bombings is expected to be fully revealed once the trial proceedings begin on May 12th. The FBI has identified Masud as the offender for some time, but this will be the first time he is tried in court. Nonetheless, the verdict may prompt other actions. According to Kara Weipz, the president of the American group Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, this trial is just the tip of the iceberg, “We hope it starts a chain reaction of holding terrorists accountable and sends a message that no one is above prosecution for crimes against humanity.
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