AFP - Edinburgh hit back Saturday at the FBI's stinging response to the Lockerbie bomber's release, saying that compassionate release might be alien to the US but was part of Scotland's justice system.
  
In a letter to Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill released earlier Saturday, Robert Mueller, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, denounced his decision to free Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi.
  
Mueller, who in 1991 was assistant attorney general in charge of the investigation of Megrahi, wrote that he was "outraged at the decision, blithely defended on the grounds of 'compassion'."
  
But a Scottish government spokesman said the decision was reached following proper procedures and Megrahi would die a convicted man.
  
"The justice secretary reached his conclusions on the basis of Scotland's due process, clear evidence, and the recommendations from the parole board and prison governor," the spokesman said.
  
"Compassionate release is not part of the US justice system but it is part of Scotland's," he added.
  
"Mr MacAskill could not have consulted more widely -- he spoke with the US families, the US attorney general, Secretary of State (Hillary) Clinton and many others."
  

What happened to Pan Am flight 103? By Luke BROWN

US officials had told MacAskill that while they opposed both prisoner transfer and compassionate release, the second option was "far preferable", said the spokesman.
  
"Mr Mueller was involved in the Lockerbie case, and therefore has strong views, but he should also be aware that while many families have opposed Mr MacAskill's decision many others have supported it."
  
MacAskill had also rejected the prison transfer option negotiated by the British and Libyan governments, the spokesman said.
  
"Mr Megrahi has been sent back to Libya to die a convicted man."
  
MacAskill would respond to Mueller's letter in due course, the spokesman added.