Flight 104

[celsis]

Does anyone have any views on the release by the Scottish Government of the supposed terrorist Abdelbasset al-Megrahi?

I've followed this case since the plane blew up and I am happy to see him go home. Unfortunately, he should never have been in jail in the first place and his conviction was a stain on Scottish justice.

I have watched with disgust as various US Senators line up to condemn the release and tell us how he should die in jail. This is from represenatives of a country that condones torture, detention without trial and judicial killing and they have the gall to insult the Scottish Justice Secretary because he showed compassion?

The Scottish Justice system is built on punishment, rehabilitation and compassion. We don't kill people nor do we throw away the key to the cell.

The truth will out in this case and I just hope it does before certain Brit and USAian politicians kick the bucket!

[Ramon]

I have watched with disgust as various US Senators line up to condemn the release and tell us how he should die in jail. This is from represenatives of a country that condones torture, detention without trial and judicial killing and they have the gall to insult the Scottish Justice Secretary because he showed compassion?

Without commenting on the outcome, I think the Justice Secretary really showed some courage in resisting the interference and pressure put on him by US politicians.

It's also worth noting that one of the Senators to sign that letter, Ted Kennedy, has an interesting history, ie the Chappaquiddick incident. Plus of course his Father who was a bootlegger during prohibition, and a fan of Hitler and anti-British during his term as US Ambassador to the UK during the start of WWII.

[Paulie]

There has always been a rather large question mark over this conviction and the evidence presented in the trial. There are a great number of people who are not convinced that Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi was the guilty party due to what appears to have been a possible miscarrage of justice.

One thing to consider is does the crime(convicted) have any determinable influence on how the prisoner is treated when facing a terminal medical condition? Take Ronnie Biggs, he was released on compasionate grounds to die outside prison, why not Megrahi for the same reason?

I agree the cases are very different, but in Biggs case he is guilty of his crimes, the same cannot be said for Megrahi with absolute certainty.

Reggie Kray is another example of somebody who was guilty and released from prison on compassionate grounds to die.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Take Ronnie Biggs, he was relased on compasionate grounds to die outside prison, why not Megrahi for the same reason

I appreciate that Biggs is a different issue, however, he should not have been let out either.

Megrahi has other factors to conisder too - though as I am not particularly au fait with them, I shall refrain my passing comment.

[Fratton]

Sorry but I was there in the immediate aftermath and it wasn't nice. I'm not convined he was the ONLY guilty party but I just cannot agree on compassion in this particular case.

[cj121]

Sorry to hear about your experience Fratton, it must have been devastating.

My home town lost the best friend and partner, of my son's uncle. But like Simon, I'm not qualified to comment.

[monkey66]

Probably important to separate the issues for clarity:

Miscarriage of Justice - maybe so, but until there is an enquiry one should probably respect the conviction (or campaign for an enquiry).

Compassionate grounds - On the basis of accepting the judgement I do not see why one would feel the need to be compassionate to a pre-meditated mass-murderer.

Victims families and politicians - very hard for them to have any kind of objective viewpoint.

I have in the back of my mind that Libya sold this guy down the river (anyone remember this). Either way he has now become a hero and soon to be some kind of mayrter no doubt.

No complex, IED based aviation attack involves just one person.

just MHO.

[Paulie]

Fratton, sorry to hear of your experience of this horrible event, I cannot even begin to imagine............

To clarify what I previously wrote:

I am not offering my opinion on the question of Megrahi's guilt or complicity.

I just wanted to raise for consideration the question of "Should there be differential treatment for prisoners with terminal illnesses based upon their convictions?"

I do not know where I stand on that question myself, each case is different and thankfully I am not in the position to have to make that kind of decision.

[Simon-JG-hr]

As others have said (including David Cameron), in this particular case, we need to separate the issues of the soundness of the conviction, and the current, legally binding decision of a trial and a further appeals court.

As previously mentioned, my knowledge of the actual case is minimal (as is most people's). However, I had to enjoy the focus shown in some places on Professor Robert Black's opinion on the situation. So, a man who is trained in deception, managed to convince an academic that he is innocent... He may well be (he may well not be), but I have found the way this particular encounter is paraded as proof quite humourous...

I just wanted to raise for consideration the question of "Should there be differential treatment for prisoners with terminal illnesses based upon their convictions?"

Now that is an interesting question. And, for the record, I believe that there should be. Certain crimes, in my mind, render the criminal not worthy of compassion. If someone shows such a lack of human compassion themselves, are they truly worthy of it themselves? Then there are other factors to take into account. I would probably cast the net slightly wider than most (as I mentioned earlier, I do not believe that Ronnie Biggs should have been released).

I've just been listening to the Scottish Justice Secretary on Newsnight - good heavens above... I thought politicians in Westminster talked out of their arses, but this guy takes the biscuit. It sounded more like a poorly penned poem than a response to a serious set of questions.

[Pantomimehorse]

[QUOTE=Paulie;31605]

I just wanted to raise for consideration the question of "Should there be differential treatment for prisoners with terminal illnesses based upon their convictions?"

QUOTE]

I dont think illness should come into it , if there is a sentance to be served it should be served. \\\\whether the person is guilty or not is another matter

[TJCoro]

No Excuse!

Muchachos, I hate talkin' politics on the fine forum. I'd much rather stare at naked pic posted by senor GAS.

But having said that and feeling an alliance with me amigos to the north, I strongly feel that a grave miscarriage of justice took place today by letting a convicted terroirst go for "compassionate" reasons.

I listened very closely to the Scot rep. as he laid out the reasons for setting a convicted terrorist free and I don't recall him saying anything about him not being guilty.

Compasion may arse!!! What about a wee bit of compassion for those who lost loved ones due to this fuckers actions??? Now they a forced to live with the knowledge that one of the terrorists that killed their mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and children was released from a life sentence after only eight years and received a "heroes" welcome back in Libya.

Good job!

A very sad day for the civilized world and for the Scots!

TJ

[G-man]

Ditto TJ Ditto

Muchachos, I hate talkin' politics on the fine forum. I'd much rather stare at naked pic posted by senor GAS.

But having said that and feeling an alliance with me amigos to the north, I strongly feel that a grave miscarriage of justice took place today by letting a convicted terroirst go for "compassionate" reasons.

I listened very closely to the Scot rep. as he laid out the reasons for setting a convicted terrorist free and I don't recall him saying anything about him not being guilty.

Compasion may arse!!! What about a wee bit of compassion for those who lost loved ones due to this fuckers actions??? Now they a forced to live with the knowledge that one of the terrorists that killed their mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and children was released from a life sentence after only eight years and received a "heroes" welcome back in Libya.

Good job!

A very sad day for the civilized world and for the Scots!

TJ

Now I know the world is gone FUCKIN NUTSPoor terriost is ill and------
Fuck him .Let him rot in hell twice over the fire!

[G-man]

Things that make U stand up and cheer

A Heros Welcome from me to Libya

Now U got my Irish up and Im not even Irish
God shall send him to the pits of hell,PRONTO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[celsis]

I tend to disagree. There seems to be a bit of a difference in mindset between Europeans and North Americans. We tend to look at people and think "are they still a threat to society - and if not - what's the point of keeping them in jail?"

In my experience, the US tends to keep people in jail as a form of revenge. And as the bible says, "Revenge is mine sayeth the Lord."

[G-man]

I tend to disagree. There seems to be a bit of a difference in mindset between Europeans and North Americans. We tend to look at people and think "are they still a threat to society - and if not - what's the point of keeping them in jail?"

In my experience, the US tends to keep people in jail as a form of revenge. And as the bible says, "Revenge is mine sayeth the Lord."

I will agree to disagree!
Im not the most religious man but this I can tell U.
Some humans are born evil and are still a threat to society !
If he was not ill he would do it all over again.
Growing up in the streets of NY I have my degree on human behavor.seen all types and hung out with all types and believe U me"People are born evil"
Spoke with grads of religious collages and asked the same question are people born evil or do they become evil? In the beginning they say become evil and after bumping into them a few years later they have a differant answer.I believe there is no right or wrong answer here. Just our life long lessons.If he was my family member I would want him at home when he passes.