On Wednesday, 44 Libyan political parties called on Libyans to take collective action to denounce the “kidnapping and extradition of Libyan citizen Abu Ajila Masoud to the United States.”
In a joint statement, the parties called for a sit-in in front of the United Nations headquarters, and US Embassies inside and outside of Libya, to condemn the “heinous crime.” They demanded that those responsible for Masoud’s deportation be prosecuted.
“A month ago, we denounced the disappearance and kidnapping of Masoud from his house in Tripoli, by a local armed gang and taking him to an unknown destination,” the statement said.
“At that time, news was leaked that the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and his Foreign Minister are intending to hand a Libyan citizen to the US,” the statement added.
They confirmed that the Lockerbie case was settled, and its file was permanently closed in accordance with a legal agreement between Libya and the US since 2008.
They also expressed their concern about the “failure to issue a statement by the official authorities explaining to the Libyan people what happened regarding the handover of the hostage Abu Ajila.”
The parties announced their “complete rejection of all the consequences of the trial and what results from it.” They pointed out that “they will escalate their demands internationally for the release of the Libyan citizen.”
Abu Ajila Masoud, a Libyan intelligence operative is suspected of making the bomb that blew up Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988. He appeared in a US courtroom on Monday, according to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice.
US Attorney General, Merrick B. Garland said the “relentless efforts over the past three decades led to the indictment and arrest of Abu Ajila for his alleged role in building the bomb used in the attack.”
“The defendant is currently in US custody and is facing charges in the United States. This is an important step forward in our mission to honour the victims, and pursue justice on behalf of their loved ones,” Garland added.
Meanwhile, the Libyan Parliament called on the Attorney General, Al-Siddiq Al-Sour to begin criminal proceedings against those involved in the kidnapping and extradition of the Libyan citizen.