Is Scotland A More Compassionate Country Than The US?

Scotland’s Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi (right), convicted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 that killed 270 people when it exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, will be released from prison because he has prostate cancer and has three months to live.

Recent speculation about Megrahi’s early release angered families of the victims — many of whom were American college students returning from studies in Europe. A White House statement Thursday said the United States “deeply regrets” the Scottish decision. It also extended sympathy to relatives of the victims.

al-Megrahi has maintained his innocence and has twice appealed his sentence.  He dropped his second appeal, clearing the way for his release which, under Scottish law, is permissible on compassionate grounds in such circumstances.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.