DATE=4/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LOCKERBIE TRIAL / HEARING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261775
BYLINE=LAUREN COMITEAU
DATELINE=THE HAGUE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A Scottish judge has rejected a prosecution
request for more time to prepare the case against two
Libyans charged with the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight
103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The trial will start as
planned next Wednesday in a former military base in
The Netherlands. From The Hague, Lauren Comiteau
reports.
TEXT: The two men accused of planting the bomb that
killed 270 people when the jet exploded over
Lockerbie, Scotland appeared in court looking relaxed
as Judge Ranald Sutherland said their trial will go on
as planned.
Judge Sutherland said the two defendants have already
been in custody for over 400 days -- unprecedented in
Scottish law. Prosecutors asked for the delay to have
more time to review 119 new witnesses and evidence
that defense lawyers submitted just last week. Many
of the witnesses live in Libya, with others as far
away as the United States, Germany, and Malta.
Judge Sutherland noted the difficulties prosecutors
face in getting to them, but said he was not satisfied
that a postponement is necessary.
For their part, defense lawyers argued that they were
late because prosecutors themselves were late in
handing over information. Judge Sutherland called the
back and forth accusations lamentable, saying there
were difficulties on both sides, but there should not
be any blame. Prosecutors have had more than 10 years
to prepare for this case. They will begin presenting
their evidence next Wednesday. (Signed)
NEB/LC/GE/ENE/JP
27-Apr-2000 12:23 PM EDT (27-Apr-2000 1623 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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