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Lockerbie bomber relatives launch bid to clear his name

Relatives of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the only man convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, have launched an appeal to posthumously clear his name.

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Timeline: al-Megrahi's conviction and appeals

The family of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, along with 24 relatives of Lockerbie bombing victims, have today launched a posthumous appeal against the Libyan's convictions.

It marks the latest step in a protracted legal battle since Megrahi's conviction at a special court in the Netherlands in 2001.

  • May 2000: Megrahi and another Libyan, Al Amin Khalifa Fahima, begin trial at a special Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands.
  • January 2001: Megrahi convicted of murdering 270 people, Fahima is acquitted.
  • January 2002: First appeal, heard in front of five judges, is unsuccessful - Megrahi begins a life sentence in a Glasgow prison.
  • June 2007: Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission (SCRCC) sends case to the High Court for appeal, saying Megrahi "may have suffered a miscarriage of justice".
  • August 2009: Megrahi released from prison on compassionate grounds after doctors say he will die from cancer within months.
  • May 2012: Megrahi dies at home in Tripoli.
  • June 2014: Megrahi's family and relatives of victim announce a new appeal is being sent to the SCCRC.

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