Trial delay requested in Lockerbie case

Prosecutors and defence attorneys have jointly requested a postponement of the trial of Abu Agila Masoud, the suspect charged in connection with the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing, according to the BBC.

The trial, originally scheduled to begin 12 May, is expected to be delayed as both sides have asked the court for additional time to prepare a revised schedule and establish a new start date.

According to prosecutors cited by the BBC, the request comes after they received “additional information” relevant to the case. The US government is reportedly still in the process of providing defence attorneys with copies of evidence it intends to present during the trial.

If the judge approves the postponement request, a status hearing could be held as early as next month to discuss scheduling matters.

Masoud first appeared in US court in December 2022 following his extradition to Washington. His transfer to US custody sparked controversy in Libya, with his family characterising it as a “kidnapping.” During his initial court appearance, Masoud maintained his innocence.

The 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland killed 270 people, including all 259 passengers and crew on board and 11 people on the ground.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​