Lawyer denies Lockerbie bomber's 'death'
Abdelbaset al-Megrahi - The Lockerbie bomber
Wednesday, 21, Oct 2009 05:56
By Richard James.
The Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is still alive, his lawyer has claimed, following earlier suggestions he had died.
Sky News claimed this afternoon the Libyan had passed away, however, his legal team in Scotland quickly moved to dismiss the reports.
Lawyer Tony Kelly is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "It's absolutely untrue. He's definitely not dead.
"I'm not saying anything about his health condition other than the fact he is alive and breathing."
Al-Megrahi was controversially released from a Scottish prison on August 20th this year on compassionate grounds after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Doctors in Scotland had given the Libyan less than three months to live and the decision was taken by the Scottish government to release him and allow him to return home.
The decision sparked international outrage, especially when he received a hero's welcome on his return to Libya.
Sky News' earlier story about his death has now been taken of its website.
The bombing of Pam Am Flight 103 in December 1988 killed 270 people. Al-Megrahi is the only person to ever be convicted in connection with the bombing.