The United States charged the Libyan, Abu Agila Masud, two years ago with allegedly playing a key role in the bombing of December 21, 1988. The explosion on board the Boeing 747 flying from London to New York is regarded as the deadliest terrorist incident on British soil. All 259 people on board were killed, along with 11 Lockerbie residents who were struck by debris from the aircraft.
Last month it became known that Masud had been kidnapped by a local militia in Libya. That sparked speculation that he would be handed over to US authorities to face trial.
In 2001, another Libyan, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, was convicted of his role in the attack after going on trial before a specially-constituted Scottish court in the Netherlands. He is so far the only person convicted of the attack. The man was sentenced to life in prison, but was released eight years after his conviction because he was terminally ill. Three years later he died in Libya.
A spokesman for the Scottish Justice says that the relatives of the victims have been informed that Masud is in the hands of the Americans. “Scottish prosecutors and the police, working with the UK and US governments, are continuing their investigations. The aim is to bring to justice anyone who worked with Megrahi.”