Date set for trial of Libyan man charged with making Lockerbie bombing explosive device

Abu Agila Mohammad Masud is expected to face his accusers in Washington DC on May 12, 2025

The date had been set for the trial of a Libyan man charged with making the explosive device used in the Lockerbie bombing.

Abu Agila Mohammad Masud is expected to face his accusers in Washington DC on May 12, 2025.

Prosecutors allege that he made the bomb which destroyed the Pan Am plane over Lockerbie 35 years ago, killing 270 people.

They believe he was an accomplice of fellow Libyan, the late Abdulbaset Al Megrahi, who was convicted at the first Lockerbie trial 22 years ago, held under Scots law at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands.

Al Megrahi was given a life sentence but released on compassionate grounds in 2009 after being diagnosed with cancer, and died in Libya in 2012, aged 60, still claiming he was innocent.

Masud has entered a not guilty plea to charges of destroying an aircraft and killing 270 people.

It was also revealed on Thursday that Scotland’s prosecution service will be heavily involved in the American trial.

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, head of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, attended a memorial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in the United States to mark 35 years since the tragedy.

She said: “The court in Washington DC has now fixed a date of May 12, 2025, for the Masud trial. I welcome this development and am encouraged with the progress in the court process.

“Scottish and US authorities have worked together since 1988 to bring those responsible for this atrocity to justice. That work continues as a dedicated team of Scottish prosecutors and officers from Police Scotland support the US Department of Justice and the FBI in this prosecution.”

The Crown Office has vowed to bring more people to justice over the bombing which remains the longest-running investigation in its history.

Laura Buchan, who is head of the COPFS Lockerbie investigation team, confirmed enquiries are still ongoing.

She said: “The court at Camp Zeist which convicted Megrahi held that this act of terrorism was orchestrated by the Libyan government and that other individuals were involved.

“While people of interest are still alive and there is evidence that can continue to be gathered, this investigation will not stop.

“We have a duty to fully investigate this crime on behalf of every person who was impacted by the events of that dreadful night.

“As can be seen from our joint work in resolving ‘cold case’ murders, the passing of time is no protection for those who seek to evade justice.”

Police Scotland’s Deputy Chief Constable, Malcolm Graham, also attended the memorial in the USA and said those affected by the bombing “will never be forgotten”.

He added: “The impact of this horrific crime continues to have a profound effect in Lockerbie, across Scotland and internationally.”

The 35th anniversary of the tragedy was marked with a number of wreath-laying ceremonies in Lockerbie, including one at Dryfesdale Cemetery, on Thursday.

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