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Turning to the United States, the Libyan man accused of blowing up Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland decades ago finally appeared in a federal courtroom.
This had grieving relatives expressing relief.
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Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud, a former Libyan intelligence official, appeared in a Washington federal court today.
Speaking through an interpretor, Mas'ud reportedly remained mum over the case because he wanted lawyers of his own choice.
Prosecutors have ruled out the death penalty but said Mas'ud could face life in prison.
Under FBI interrogation Mas'ud once confessed building the bomb and putting in a suitcase on board the ill-fated Pan Am flight in 1988.
He also admitted to plotting the deadly attack with two Libyan co-conspirators who have also been charged.
There is word late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi ordered the bombing on a U.S. flight.
But it goes back to 2020 when the Justice Department formally announced its intention to arrest him.
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WILLIAM BARR, December 21st, 2020, Former United States Attorney General:
Mas'ud built the bomb that destroyed Pan Am 103.
No amount of time or distance will stop the United States and our Scottish partners from pursuing justice.
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Then Mas'ud was arrested and extradited to the United States.
Sources say Mas'ud had been abducted by a militia group in Libya before extradition.
But knowing many Americans died, grief-stricken relatives welcomed Mas'ud arrest.
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VICTORIA CUMMOCK, Widow of Lockerbie Bombing Victim John Cummock:
Finally for the first time in thirty-four years I was hopeful that we could have one of the perpetrators come to a U.S. courtroom and hold them accountable.
270 lives were shattered, and thousands of victims' loved ones from 21 nations were left to pick up the pieces.
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STEPHANIE BERNSTEIN, Widow of Lockerbie Bombing Victim Michael Bernstein:
The trial that took place in the Netherlands under Scottish law was the result of an agreement brokered with the Gaddafi regime. It was not justice in my view.
We at last have the man responsible for making the bomb (arrested).
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With the detention hearing set for late December, prosecutors must now prove Mas'ud did in fact make the bomb.
Responding to Mas'ud first court appearance, the U.S. National Security Advisor called this a good start.
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JAKE SULLIVAN, U.S. National Security Advisor:
It is a very good thing, Mas'ud will be facing justice for his alleged role in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
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