Tough Scottish jail for bomber Al-Megrahi

Fahima (left) and Al-Megrahi

GLASGOW, Scotland -- The conviction of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi means he must serve his sentence at a jail with a tough reputation, Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow.

The decision was made during the lengthy negotiations which preceded the trial, so there is no question of him being handed over to any other country.

Libya wanted the men if found guilty to serve any sentence in their homeland, but the British government insisted that this issue was non-negotiable.

Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah who was found not guilty will be free to return to Libya.

Scottish Prison Service managers cited security reasons in refusing to be drawn on the name of the jail where either of the men if convicted would be held.

But sources said they would serve their terms at Barlinnie -- known locally as Bar-L.

Originally it was thought either found guilty would be housed in a specially-built secure unit -- nicknamed Gadhafi Cafe -- but this no longer exists.

"Gadhafi Cafe" was within the prison hospital but is now part of a fully functioning hospital ward.

The all-male Victorian prison, built in the late 19th century, houses 868 inmates of all categories.

It was home to Everton footballer Duncan Ferguson for 44 days in April 1994 after the former Rangers player received a three-month sentence for head-butting John McStay in a Rangers-Raith Rovers match at Ibrox.

Barlinnie, which is described as a "local prison," serves courts in the west of Scotland, holding convicted prisoners as well as those being held in custody on remand.

It does not generally hold lifers, but rather caters for prisoners serving less than four years for the duration of their sentence, although it has the facilities to hold those serving longer terms.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi is likely to be held in a maximum security area and will be segregated from other prisoners.

Meanwhile, a long-term role for the United Nations to monitor his welfare in the prison has been agreed.

Since they were handed over for trial in April 1999, the two Libyans had been held on remand at a specially constructed prison within the grounds of Camp Zeist, Holland, where the trial took place.

They had a living area where there is a television showing Arabic channels, and an exercise bike.

The two men spent much of their time receiving visits from approved visitors such as relatives and their legal teams, and were also able to exercise in the fresh air.

Their religious requirements, including observation of religious practices, were respected, as were their dietary requirements -- it is reported that a special chef was flown from Libya to prepare their meals.

Like all those held on remand, the men did not have to work.

By law, all Scottish prisoners work five days a week and it is unlikely that Al-Megrahi will be treated differently.

However, a move to Barlinnie is not imminent for him as an appeal against conviction is expected to be lodged immediately.

The appeal will be heard before five Scottish judges and is likely to take place in seven months from now.

It is expected to be heard at Camp Zeist, meaning that Al-Megrahi will remain in the special prison there until the appeal is complete.

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Scottish Prison Service

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