Trial for alleged builder of bomb in 1988 Lockerbie attack postponed by US judge days before start

A US federal judge postponed the trial of Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, the Libyan intelligence operative accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988. The judge cited newly discovered evidence requiring defense review. Jury selection was set to begin Wednesday.

A US federal judge on Monday postponed the trial of Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, the Libyan intelligence operative accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988. Judge Dabney Friedrich cited the discovery of new evidence that defense attorneys need to examine. Jury selection had been scheduled to begin on Wednesday. Friedrich did not set a new trial date but scheduled a hearing for September 1. Mas'ud, now in his mid-70s, has pleaded not guilty to two charges related to destruction of an aircraft resulting in death. He faces life in prison if convicted. The bombing killed all 259 people on board and 11 on the ground. Mas'ud was arrested in Libya and brought to the US in 2022. His lawyers have challenged the credibility of evidence, including an alleged confession to a Libyan police officer in 2012.

Trial for alleged builder of bomb in 1988 Lockerbie attack postponed by US judge days before start