Lockerbie bomber begins
life in jail
March 15, 2002
The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing has spent his first night at a prison in Glasgow where he will serve the rest of his life sentence.
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was flown by helicopter to Barlinnie Prison on Thursday night, hours after losing his appeal against conviction.
The Libyan had been held at the Camp Zeist compound in the Netherlands compound since the start of his trial in April 1999.
There was stepped-up security around Barlinnie Prison on Thursday evening, with a police helicopter and armed officers keeping watch.
The M8 motorway, which runs through Glasgow, was closed in both directions while the helicopter landed at the prison.
In total 270 people died when a Pan Am airliner was blown up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988.
Five appeal judges found there was enough circumstantial evidence to convict al-Megrahi of the bombing.
It is believed that al-Megrahi will have three prison officers with him at all times and will be required to work and take his recreation within the unit.
US action The American government praised the upholding of al-Megrahi's conviction, and said Libya must now pay compensation to his victims.
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Copyright (c) 2000-2002 Sue Kelly