Kathmandu— A United States judge has scheduled a hearing to discuss the case against Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi, a former Libyan intelligence official accused of participating in the Lockerbie bombing that killed all 259 people on board Pan Am Flight 103 and 11 people on the ground. The trial is expected to be the first held in the US for this attack, which remains the deadliest terrorist incident in UK history.

Background of the Case

Mas’ud was charged by federal prosecutors with delivering the bomb that exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988. The explosion killed all passengers and crew aboard the flight, including citizens from 21 countries, predominantly Americans and British nationals. Mas’ud has denied these charges and pleaded not guilty.

New Evidence Delays Trial

The trial was initially set to begin with jury selection last week but was postponed by US District Judge Dabney Friedrich due to the discovery of new evidence. The delay is intended to allow Mas’ud’s defense team time to review this material, which has not been specified in detail.

Prosecutors' Allegations

According to prosecutors, Mas’ud worked for Libyan intelligence from 1973 to 2011 and was involved in the bombing at the direction of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Prosecutors allege that he flew to Malta with a bomb concealed in a suitcase, set its timer, handed it over to a co-conspirator, and returned to Libya.

Previous Cases

Two other suspected Libyan intelligence agents were tried by Scottish judges in the Netherlands in 2000. Abd al-Basit al-Magrahi was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment but died in 2012 after being released on compassionate grounds. Al-Amin Khalifa Fahimah, who was acquitted, passed away earlier this year.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.