Schumer, families seek probe of BP-Lockerbie bomber

Brian Flynn wants the man who killed his brother back behind bars and says he is seeking a criminal investigation into whether BP PLC helped secure the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi last year in exchange for access to Libyan oil fields.

Flynn, whose older brother died on Pan Am Flight 103 when it exploded over the Scottish town in 1988, killing all 259 people on board, was one of two victims' relatives who Sunday joined Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) in calling for a Justice Department probe.

"This is all real," said Flynn, 41, of Manhattan. "It's hiding in plain sight. They just thought nobody would care." His brother was John Patrick Flynn.

Schumer said mounting evidence suggests a connection between al-Megrahi's release and the completion of stalled negotiations between BP and the Libyan government over exploration rights. If so, he said, the company may have violated a federal law that bars corporations from securing benefits, in this case lobbying the British government, for foreign officials that influence their decision-making.

BP has already admitted to lobbying the British government to wrap up a prisoner release agreement, Schumer said. Once the Libyan national al-Megrahi's name was added to the agreement, Schumer said the exploration deal was finally approved.

"No matter how powerful the corporation or how important the foreign government, a blood money deal is a blood money deal, and we're going to hold people accountable," Schumer said.

Al-Megrahi was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2001. In August, the Scottish government released him, saying he had prostate cancer and was given three months to live. The doctor who originally made that diagnosis said recently he was pressured to give a false diagnosis and that al-Megrahi, who is still alive, could live perhaps 10 more years.

SEE PHOTOSLockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi set free

Last week, news reports said Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron denied any link between al-Megrahi's release and BP's activities in Libya. BP spokesman Mark Salt said Sunday that the company had "nothing to add" to Cameron's statement.