Wreckage from Lockerbie bombing moved to United States of America ahead of Libyan suspect's trial

A section of the aircraft from the Lockerbie bombing is being transported to America ahead of a Libyan suspect’s trial in Washington DC.

The transfer – including parts of the fuselage – is part of an evidence sharing agreement between Scottish law enforcement authorities and American counterparts.

Families and next of kin have been informed of the development as the 36th anniversary of the terrorist attack approaches on December 21.

The wreckage of the flight was reconstructed in a warehouse in Farnborough.

Abu Aguila Mas’ud is scheduled to go on trial in May next year for several charges, including destruction of an aircraft resulting in death.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was convicted in 2001 of the murders of 270 people by the introduction of an explosive device onto Pan Am 103 flight in December 1988.

The flight was en route from Heathrow to JFK when a bomb exploded in its hold over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 270 people, including 43 British citizens and 190 Americans.

Eleven people died when wreckage hit their homes.

The Crown Office and Prosecution Service (COPFS) said it has always been its contention that Megrahi acted with others in the commission of his crime.

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain said: “The trial court held that this act of state-sponsored terrorism was orchestrated by the Libyan government and that Megrahi was involved with others.

“That verdict has been subject of intense scrutiny and has been upheld twice in the appeal court.

“The transfer of evidence for the trial in the US is a strong expression of the commitment that Scottish prosecutors and officers of Police Scotland have to bringing all those responsible for this terrible act to justice.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “My thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in 1988 and who continue to show incredible dignity and strength.

“Police Scotland remains committed to working with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and our law enforcement colleagues in the United States to support the investigation and bring those responsible for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 to justice, no matter the passage of time.”

Laura Buchan, who is head of a team of prosecutors from the COPFS working on the case, said: “Since Mas’ud was taken into custody by the US in 2022, Scottish prosecutors and police have been engaged in a formal evidence sharing process with the US Department of Justice.

“The transfer of physical items of evidence from Scotland into US custody is beginning. The transfer includes parts of the fuselage of Pan Am 103 which are a production in the criminal investigation.

“We understand that the fuselage will hold significance for many of the families of those who lost their lives and they have been informed of the transfer plans.”