FLASHREPORT

I have just introduced language (ACR 92) across the Assembly desk in order to condemn the actions of the Scottish government in the early release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi. Abdelbaset is a Libyan terrorist who was convicted of 270 counts of murder on January 31, 2001, for his part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988.

The flight was destroyed by a bomb, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Eleven more victims were killed on the ground by large sections of the plane that fell in and around the town of Lockerbie. 

One hundred and eighty of the victims, or a full two-thirds of the fatalities, were American citizens, and seven of those victims were from California: Jerry Don Avritt, a 46 year old flight engineer from Westminster; Surinder Mohan Bhatia, a 51 year old businessman from Los Angeles; Stacie Denise Franklin, a 20 year old flight attendant from San Diego; Matthew Kevin Gannon, a 34 year old foreign service officer from Los Angeles; Paul Isaac Garret, a 41 year old flight attendant from Napa; Barry Joseph Valentino, a 28 year old exhibit designer from San Francisco; and Jonathan White, a 33 year old accountant from North Hollywood. 

Abdelbaset was recently released by the Scottish government and allowed to return to Libya, where he was greeted to a hero's welcome. This is nothing short of a slap in the face of the Lockerbie Bombing victims' families. Furthermost, the early release of a known terrorist and mass murderer sets a dangerous precedent and opens the window for an even more deadly terrorist attack in the name of "martyrdom". 

This despicable human being showed no compassion to the victims and their families, and has shown no regret for his actions. It is the height of irresponsibility to release him on grounds of "compassion". 

I hope that my colleagues will stand fast with me, united for fairness and justice, and in sympathy and support for the victims' families; many of whom are from our great State.