Muammar Gaddafi Dead: Relatives of Lockerbie Bomber Victims 'Thrilled' by Dictator's Death
Relatives of victims of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland have been rejoicing at the announcement of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's death early Thursday morning, with one woman saying she hoped the despot was in "hell with Hitler."
"For 20 plus years we've been saying that Gaddafi is going to continue to haunt the world and needs to be brought to justice," Brian Flynn, whose brother was killed on the flight, told the Dailybeast.com.
Flynn added, "If it is true that Gaddafi is dead or captured we are thrilled for the Libyan people and we have a feeling that the long trail to justice is coming to an end."
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The Pan Am 103 bombing took place on Dec. 21, 1988, during a transatlantic flight from London to New York as it flew over the town of Lockerbie. All passengers and flight crew were killed, including 11 people on the ground. Although only one man was convicted of the terrorist attack, Libyan agent Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, who was also released in 2009 on medical grounds, it is believed that Gaddafi played a significant role in carrying out the bombing. While Libya has taken responsibility for the disaster and paid millions of dollars in compensation to the victims' families, Gaddafi refused to take any personal responsibility.
Bob Monetti, whose son was killed in the bombing, told the Daily Mirror, "The world is a much better place without Gaddafi and Libya is certainly much better off. I hope we can get some more information and get on with our lives. I am way past vengeance."
Kathy Tedeschi, whose first husband was among those aboard Pan Am Flight 103 told the publication, "I hope he's in hell with Hitler. I saw it on the TV when I was...(at the gym), I just can't stop crying, I am so thrilled."
"I am sure (Gaddafi) was the one who pushed to have this done, the bombing," Tedeschi added.
The Libyan dictator was killed after an attack on his hometown of Sirte, only two months after rebels ended a violent dictatorship of 42 years by overthrowing the capital, Tripoli.
