Abu Agila Al-Marimi, accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie more than 36 years ago, is scheduled to appear on Wednesday before a court in the United States as part of evidentiary proceedings in the long-running case, according to Britain’s STV News.
The broadcaster reported that US prosecutors allege Al-Marimi, a former Libyan intelligence officer, was responsible for manufacturing the explosive device that detonated inside the aircraft’s cargo hold. The explosion killed all 259 people on board the Boeing 747, in addition to 11 people on the ground after debris fell on homes in Lockerbie, marking the deadliest terrorist attack ever to take place on British soil.
According to STV News, Al-Marimi pleaded not guilty in 2023 to three charges, including two counts of destroying an aircraft resulting in death and a third charge related to the destruction of a vehicle of transport causing fatalities. A US federal court later agreed to delay the trial, citing the complexity of the case and the need for additional preparation time by both sides.
The report recalled that former Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was the only person convicted in connection with the 1988 bombing. He was found guilty in 2001, released in 2009 on compassionate grounds due to ill health, and returned to Libya, where he died in 2012. Prosecutors, however, maintain that the attack was carried out with the involvement of others beyond Megrahi.
Al-Marimi first appeared before a US court in December 2022 following his transfer to Washington. His handover sparked strong reactions in Libya, with his family describing the move as an “abduction.” During his initial court appearance, Al-Marimi entered a plea of not guilty, a position he continues to maintain as the case proceeds.
The upcoming hearing is expected to focus on evidentiary matters as US authorities press ahead with efforts to resolve one of the most complex and politically sensitive terrorism cases of the modern era.
