Scottish prosecutors have submitted a formal request for an interview with the Libyan foreign minister in connection with the Lockerbie bombing.
Moussa Koussa apparently defected from Libya earlier this week saying he was no longer able to represent the Gaddafi regime internationally.
The Crown Office in Scotland has just issued a statement announcing its wish to interview Mr Koussa and stressing that the investigation into the 1988 bombing remains open.
A Crown Office spokesman said: “We have notified the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the Scottish prosecuting and investigating authorities wish to interview Mr Koussa in connection with the Lockerbie bombing. The investigation into the Lockerbie bombing remains open and we will pursue all relevant lines of inquiry.”
In the 1980s, Mr Koussa was a leading member of the Libyan Bureau for External Security, the Mathaba, which has been linked to the Lockerbie bombing.
Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora in the bombing, was reported to have described Mr Koussa’s arrival in the UK as a “great day”.
According to the BBC, Mr Swire said: “This is a guy who knows everything. I think this is a fantastic day for those who seek the truth about Lockerbie.”
Mr Swire met Mr Koussa on a visit to Libya in 1988.
According to the BBC, Mr Swire said: “He was clearly running things. If Libya was involved in Lockerbie, he can tell us how they carried out the atrocity and why. I would be appalled if by now the Scottish police are not in England interviewing Mr Koussa – it is a great day for us.”
Mr Koussa arrived at Farnborough airport in England from Tunisia on Tuesday, saying he was no longer able to represent Libya internationally.
However, there have been some experts who believe the Libyan foreign minister may not have defected but is on an authorised diplomatic mission for Colonel Gaddafi.
The bombing over the Scottish town in 1988 killed 259 people, mostly Americans, on the plane and 11 on the ground.
Donate to us: support independent, intelligent, in-depth Scottish journalism from just 3p a day
Related posts: