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US Court Hears Case of Lockerbie Bombing Suspect Amid Alleged Confession

Attorneys representing the Libyan individual are seeking to have an alleged admission of involvement in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 excluded from consideration as evidence in any potential future proceedings.

In a US courtroom, a Libyan national, Abu Agila Mohammed Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, also known as Masud, has appeared to challenge the admissibility of his alleged confession in connection with the Lockerbie bombing.

Rescue workers stand next to the wreckage of Pan Am flight 103 in Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway in December 1988.
All 259 passengers and crew on board and 11 people on the ground died in the bombing over Lockerbie in December 1988

According to the US Department of Justice, Masud purportedly admitted to participating in the 1988 attack on Pan Am Flight 103 during an interrogation at a Libyan detention facility in 2012.

Masud's defense team contends that the confession was coerced and therefore should not be used as evidence in his upcoming trial in Washington DC.

Masud denies any involvement in the construction of the bomb that destroyed the American aircraft over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988, resulting in the deaths of 270 people.

On Wednesday, Masud, wearing a prison uniform and sporting a short grey beard, attended a hearing at the District Court for the District of Columbia, presided over by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich.

Family members of the victims and representatives from Scottish law enforcement, who have collaborated with their US counterparts on the investigation, were also present in the courtroom.

To accommodate individuals connected to the case who could not attend in person, remote viewing facilities were established in four locations: three in the United States and one in the United Kingdom.

The details of Masud's alleged confession were initially made public in 2020, following the release of the FBI's criminal complaint against him.

It is alleged that Masud confessed to carrying out the 1986 bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque in West Berlin, which resulted in the deaths of three people, including two American servicemen.

Masud is also said to have admitted to transporting a bomb hidden in a suitcase from Libya to Malta in December 1988, acting on the orders of senior Libyan intelligence officials.

According to the confession, Masud allegedly met with two accomplices, Abdulbaset Al Megrahi, a Libyan agent previously convicted of the bombing, and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah, a former Libyan Arab Airline official who was acquitted by a Scottish court.

The alleged confession states that Masud set the bomb's timer to detonate 11 hours later, purchased clothing to pack into the suitcase, and then handed it over to Fhimah at Luqa airport in Malta.

Fhimah allegedly placed the unaccompanied bag on a conveyor belt, introducing it into the international baggage system, where it was tagged for a flight to the United States.

The bomb exploded on the night of December 21, 1988, in the forward hold of Pan Am 103, killing all 259 people on board and 11 residents of Lockerbie when the wreckage crashed into their homes.

A mugshot of Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi. He has a white beard and is staring straight ahead. He is wearing a prison overall of some form.
Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi has been in custody since December 2022

Masud is said to have claimed that he was later commended in person by the late Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi for carrying out a "great national duty" against the Americans.

In pre-hearing court documents, Masud alleged that his confession was false and had been extracted from him by three masked men who threatened him and his family.

The US government countered that Masud had provided a detailed and corroborated account of his involvement in the bombing, which was supported by other evidence.

At the start of the hearing, FBI Special Agent Todd Tunstall informed the court that the alleged confession was initially obtained by Scottish investigators, who shared a copy with US authorities in 2017.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi, wearing a blue suit over a white shirt and a floral tie, with two security officers in black leather jackets and berets.
Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi, centre, is the only person to have been convicted in connection with the Lockerbie bombing

In 2020, FBI agents and Police Scotland officers interviewed the Libyan official who had questioned Masud in 2012, referred to as "Jamal" in court proceedings.

Agent Tunstall stated that the confession's contents were supported by evidence from the crime scene, forensic analysis, and immigration and flight records.

"Jamal" reported that he had attempted to record Masud's statement using a phone, but the recording was lost.

Masud has been in US custody since 2022, when he was handed over to FBI agents who traveled to Libya to apprehend him.

The two-day hearing is expected to conclude with a decision from Judge Friedrich at a later date.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia".
Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

To stay up-to-date on the latest tech news and trends, sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter; international readers can subscribe via an alternative link.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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