May 20, 2012

(JTA) — The former Libyan intelligence agent convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, who was released from prison for humanitarian reasons, has died.

Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, 59, died Sunday in Libya after suffering from prostate cancer. He was released from a Scottish prison and returned to Libya in 2008 after his lawyers said he would soon die of the disease; his doctors had given him three months to live.

The downing of the Pan Am flight killed all 270 passengers and crew, most of them Americans. It was one of the deadliest terror attacks ever.

Al-Megrahi received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Libya, which angered the families of his victims.

Al-Megrahi proclaimed his innocence until his death. He died at home surrounded by his family, according to reports.
 

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