Lockerbie judges mull fate of secret document

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Legal discussions about a potentially crucial top secret document that could help clear the Lockerbie bomber should be heard in private, the appeal court in Edinburgh was told Tuesday.

Britain's top legal officer in Scotland, Advocate General Neil Davidson, told three judges in the case that they should discuss whether the document should be made public behind closed doors and with specially-vetted lawyers.

Lawyers for the man convicted of the bombing, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet Al-Megrahi, have not submitted their views, but Davidson said at the administrative hearing that it appeared they were against such a move.

Megrahi, a former Libyan intelligence officer, is seeking to overturn his conviction and 27-year sentence for bombing Pan Am Flight...