Summary
U.S. prosecutors claim a Libyan man named Abu Agila Mas'ud freely admitted his role in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people. However, Mas'ud's lawyers argue that the confession was forced and are working to prevent it from being used as evidence in his U.S. trial next year. The Department of Justice counters these claims, stating that the confession is voluntary and supported by other evidence.
Key Facts
- Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir al-Marimi is accused of involvement in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
- Prosecutors claim Mas'ud confessed freely to his role in the bombing.
- Mas'ud says that masked men forced him to confess under threat to his family.
- His lawyer argues the confession was obtained under coercion after Libya's 2011 revolution.
- Mas'ud has been in U.S. custody since 2022 and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
- The trial is scheduled for April in Washington, D.C.
- Prosecutors want to use the confession as evidence, stating they have more evidence to support it.
- Mas'ud claims the confession was part of a coerced script he was forced to memorize.
