Lockerbie bomber may be released

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The Libyan intelligence agent serving a life sentence in Scotland for the bombing of a Pan Am plane has applied for bail pending appeal.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi could be released next week, The Telegraph reported. He has been diagnosed with cancer of the prostate that has spread to other organs.

The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission allowed him a second appeal, finding that he might have been wrongfully convicted. His supporters argue that the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people on the plane and on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland, was orchestrated by Iran, not Libya.

Some politicians have called for a speedy appeal because of Megrahi's illness. He was sentenced to 27 years to life and is being held in Greenock Prison.