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Lockerbie appeal time extended

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- A Libyan jailed for killing 270 people in the bombing of a jet over Scotland in 1988 has been granted more time to prepare his appeal.

Former intelligence agent Abdel Baset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi was sentenced to life imprisonment on January 31 for the Lockerbie bombing.

His lawyers were given a second six-week extension to prepare his appeal, the government's Scottish Office said on Wednesday.

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"The period for lodging grounds of appeal has been extended by six weeks from May 2," the court said in a statement.

The first extension expired on Tuesday, and al-Megrahi's lawyer's immediately asked for more time.

A Scottish court in the Netherlands convicted al-Megrahi for planting the bomb that blew up the jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

His co-defendant, Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, a Libyan Arab Airlines official, was acquitted of all charges.

The New York-bound Pan Am Flight 103 exploded at 31,000 feet over Lockerbie, 38 minutes after taking off from London on December 21, 1988.

All 259 people on board were killed and 11 people on the ground also died.

Once it has full details of al-Megrahi's case, the High Court will decide whether to grant him leave to appeal.

Any appeal will be heard by a Scottish court in the Netherlands.

During the eight-month trial 232 witnesses gave evidence for the prosecution, while only three appeared for the defence.

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Lockerbie Trial Briefing Site
The Pan Am 103 crash
Scottish Courts

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