In brief
The trial of Abu Agila Masʹud Al‑Marimi over the Lockerbie air‑plane bombing has been postponed a third time, with a new start date announced for January 2027 after a fresh piece of evidence was discovered three days ago. The trial, which was due to begin in Washington DC with jury selection, was held back by the defence and prosecution following the evidence that could change the case’s course. Judge Dabney Friedrich confirmed the adjournment, noting the importance of reviewing the material thoroughly. The delay means victims’ families and the defendant may have to wait much longer for justice. New evidence underscores how complex and long‑running the Lockerbie investigation remains.
The trial of a Libyan man, Abu Agila Masʹud Al‑Marimi, over the Lockerbie air‑plane bombing has been postponed for the third time, after newly discovered evidence emerged on Saturday 21 August. The court had to push back jury selection, which was set to begin in Washington DC on Wednesday, and now the trial will start in January 2027.
Al‑Marimi, who has denied building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am flight 103 on 21 December 1988, was given a courtroom request by his lawyers to pause the proceedings. The defence and prosecution said that the new evidence, which was not previously known to either side, should be investigated to what extent it could affect the case.”
Judge Dabney Friedrich approved the delay, acknowledging the significance of the evidence. “If each delay allows the court to assemble more of the true evidence, I am all in favour of it,” the judge said.
The Lockerbie bombing, which killed 270 people, is one of the world’s worst terrorist attacks. The trial has been part of a joint Scottish‑US investigation that started in 1988.
Victims’ families and legal teams expect the verdict could now come only next spring, adding to a long‑running saga that has seen the case endure many twists over almost four decades. Some members of the public remain hopeful that the new delay will bring clearer evidence and a fairer trial.
