Reuters AlertNet Lite - U.S. asks UK to explain Libyan's prison conditions

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U.S. asks UK to explain Libyan's prison conditions

20 Nov 2003 21:23:50 GMT

WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The United States has asked British authorities to look into concerns by victims' families about reports the Libyan man convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing is receiving lenient treatment in prison, the State Department said on Thursday.

Relatives of some of the 270 people killed when the Pan Am plane exploded over Scotland have said they are disturbed at British press reports Abdel-Basset al-Megrahi is living in a luxurious four-room suite in a Scottish prison.

"We have been contacted by a number of individuals regarding the conditions of Mr. al-Megrahi's incarceration," said State Department spokesman Adam Ereli.

"We take their concerns on board. We are listening to them and we have passed along these concerns to the appropriate officials in the United Kingdom for a response."

"We've said, 'Here are the concerns of the families, could you look into it and let us know what the facts of the matter are?'" he told a daily briefing.

London's Daily Mail reported this week that, unlike other inmates of Glasgow's Barlinnie prison, Megrahi had his own kitchen and computer room, a stereo system, satellite television and hot meals on request.

Susan Cohen, who lost her daughter Theodora in the bombing, said she was shocked at the accounts of his lifestyle.

A State Department official, who asked not to be identified, said the British authorities had to ensure Megrahi's conditions in solitary confinement were as good as the conditions of other prisoners.

"Whatever the other prisoners get, he should get. ... You have minimum standards you have to follow," he added.

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