Lockerbie bomber bail ruling due

Megrahi's application for release will be decided on Friday

A date has been set for the decision on whether the man jailed for the Lockerbie bombing should be released.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi has applied for interim liberation after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Judges will announce on Friday morning whether the application has been successful.

His legal team has argued there is a "compelling case" for his release but prosecutors have said the gravity of the crime means he should stay in jail.

It was announced last month that the former Libyan intelligence agent, 56, had been diagnosed with cancer and the disease had spread to other parts of his body.

Megrahi is currently serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years for the 1988 atrocity in which 270 people died.

Medical treatment

He was convicted of the bombing in 2001.

He lost a first appeal in 2002 but was given a fresh chance to clear his name by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) last year.

That appeal is due to be heard next year.

However, last week a bid was made to allow him to be released to reside with his family in Scotland while receiving medical treatment.

The Lord Justice General, Lord Hamilton will deliver the judgment with Lord Kingarth and Lord Wheatley in Edinburgh on Friday morning.

Megrahi will not be present in court.