LONDON — A decision has been reached in the case of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi and will be announced Thursday, the Scottish government said.
Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill "has informed families and other interested parties that he has reached his decisions on the applications for prisoner transfer and compassionate release," a government statement said.
"This fulfills the Justice Secretary's pledge to inform families on both sides of the Atlantic, in advance, of the timing of his public announcement," it said.
Sky News, citing unnamed sources, reported Wednesday that al-Megrahi will be released from prison on compassionate grounds.
Al-Megrahi, 57, has terminal cancer.
He was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. The airliner — which was carrying mostly American passengers to New York — blew up as it flew over Scotland. All 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground died when the aircraft crashed into the town of Lockerbie.
Some families have been angry over the possibility that al-Megrahi could be returned to Libya. Seven U.S. senators and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have urged MacAskill not to release al-Megrahi.
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