The FBI has launched a search for victims of the Lockerbie bombing, including people who suffered “emotional injury”, ahead of the trial of Abu Agila Masud which is due to take place in America next year.
It comes 35 years after the atrocity in which a total of 270 people were killed.
Masud has denied making the device that blew up Pan Am Flight 103 over the Dumfries and Galloway town on 21 December 1988.
A judge in the US federal court in which the trial is taking place is considering allowing people affected by the case to watch the trial remotely.
As a result, the FBI is trying find those who meet the legal definition of victims.
The FBI wants a list of individuals “who meet the statutory definition of victim and wish to have access to the court proceedings”.
A victim is defined as someone who was “present at or near the scene in Lockerbie when the bombing occurred or immediately thereafter” and who suffered “direct or proximate harm (e.g. physical or emotional injury) as a result”.
The second group includes “the spouse, legal guardian, parent, child, brother, sister, next of kin or other relative of someone who was killed on Pan Am 103 or killed or harmed on the ground in Scotland or someone who possesses a relationship of a similar significance to someone who was killed or harmed in the attack”.
The FBI stated: “We understand that this notice may be unexpected and raise questions for many who are connected to this tragedy.
“Please accept our apologies for any apprehensions caused by this sudden outreach, and rest assured that we have a team of dedicated individuals prepared to address any concerns you may have about this process.”
Anyone who falls into either of these categories and wants to watch proceedings live should complete the online form available on the FBI website.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
