UPDATE : On August 20, 2009, The Scottish government released Al Megrahi on compassionate grounds as he is suffering from terminal cancer. He arrived in Libya and was greeted by a cheering crowd. On August 21, 2009, World leaders and Pan Am Flight 103 victims families expressed outrage over the release and scenes shown in media coverage of Al Megrahi's repatriation

1. December 31, 1988: Pan Am Flight 103 crashed
2. January 31, 2001: Convicted on 270 counts of murder
3. March 14, 2002: Appeal refused
4. September 23, 2003: Lawyers applied to have case reviewed
5. November 23, 2003: Appeared in front of the original judges that sentenced him and was told he would have to serve at least 27 years
6. May 31, 2004: Granted leave to appeal his 27 years in prison
7. July 11, 2006: Appeal scheduled
8. June 28, 2007: Review completed
9. October 11, 2007: Procedural hearing held to examine the findings of review
10. November 1, 2007: Invited Professor Robert Black Professor to visit
11. October 2008: Applies for bail release due to advanced prostate cancerBBC: Lockerbie Bomber Applies For Bail (October 30, 2008)
12. November 2008: Appeal for release due to prostate cancer denied
13. 2008: Appeal in process based on evidence that miscarriage of justice may have occurred in trial
14. April 27, 2009: Al Megrahi's second appeal against conviction is to commence.
15. August 12, 2009: Sky News in Britain report that Al Megrahi will soon be freed on compassionate grounds; in consideration of his having terminal prostate cancer.
16. August 20, 2009: Al Megrahi is released and arrives in Libya.