In brief
Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah, a Libyan who stood trial for the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing but was found not guilty, passed away at the age of 70. The case had long entangled Libya, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with Fhimah’s exoneration contrasting with the conviction of fellow Libyan Abdulbasset Al‑Megrahi. His death comes weeks after new allegations surfaced, raising questions about whether a second trial might have been considered. The obituary was announced by Libyan Airlines, who expressed condolences, and the funeral is scheduled in Tripoli.
Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah, once charged with the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing and later acquitted, has died at 70.
The accusations were first announced by Scotland and the United States in 1991. Years of sanctions led to the suspects being handed over to a Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands where the 2001 trial culminated in a acquittal for Fhimah and a life sentence for Al‑Megrahi.
A Facebook post by Libyan Airlines expressed sorrow for Fhimah’s passing and offered condolences to his family. He had worked for the carrier in Malta prior to the 1988 attack and was welcomed home to Libya by former dictator Muammar Gaddafi after the verdict.
Fhimah’s death follows the 2022 revelation that a Libyan, Abu Agila Mohammad Masud Al‑Marimi, had allegedly confessed to involvement in the bombing. The new evidence has prompted speculation that Fhimah could have faced a second prosecution, though the indictment by the United States remains open.
Under the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011, a suspect can be tried again if new evidence substantially strengthens the case. While authorities considered fresh action had Al‑Marimi been convicted in Washington, pursuing a new trial on home soil would have posed legal and political challenges given the 2001 acquittal.
His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday in Tripoli, Libya. The case continues to be a reminder of the long shadow cast by the Lockerbie tragedy and the complex international legal frameworks that follow.
By David Cowan, Scotland Home Affairs Correspondent
Published 26 August 2026, 07:21 BST | Updated 8 hours ago
