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Tony Gauci a Maltese shop owner, played a key role in the biographical Lockerbie: A Search for Truth series on Peacock, which follows the storyline of the horrific Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988 and its subsequent Libyan nationals Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah's trial. The key role is played by Maltese shop owner Tony Gauci
The series delves into the investigation and trial, shedding light on Gauci’s testimony, which became instrumental in securing Megrahi’s conviction. Gauci identified Megrahi as the individual who purchased clothing later used to wrap the bomb, a key piece of evidence that significantly influenced the outcome of the case.
The series also explores the controversies surrounding the credibility of Gauci. Critics have brought up the credibility of his identification and alleged external influences upon his judgment. Increased scrutiny came when reports began circulating about a reportedly substantial amount of money associated with his testimony. Lockerbie: A Search for Truth illuminates these contentious aspects for an audience, furthering their understanding of the case and its implications.
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Who was Tony Gauci and what was his Testimony in the Lockerbie Trial?
One of the important witnesses for the investigators about the indictment of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi for the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing was Tony Gauci. He was a proprietor of Mary's House, a clothing shop in Sliema, Malta. Investigators found that on December 7, 1988, three days before the attack, Megrahi went to the store and bought some clothing. Gauci could not identify the purchaser when investigators presented him with photographs.
However, during the 2000 trial, he confidently identified Megrahi as the buyer, a statement that became central to the conviction. Gauci’s testimony faced scrutiny due to inconsistencies. He claimed it was raining when the purchaser left, which conflicted with meteorological records. He also stated that Christmas lights were present but later expressed uncertainty.
Moreover, Gauci denied selling a shirt linked to the bombing, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. His credibility was questioned further when Lord Fraser of Carmyllie described him as unreliable, fueling doubts about the fairness of the trial.
Tony Gauci’s credibility and allegations of reward
The Lockerbie bombing trial was highly criticized following the review in 2007 by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission. It said that Tony Gauci had seen a magazine featuring Abdelbaset al-Megrahi as the bomber a week before he identified him as the man who sold the clothes used in the bombing. The defense did not know this crucial information at the time of the trial.
In 2007, Megrahi’s representatives claimed Gauci might have received $2 million from the US Department of Justice under the Rewards for Justice program for his testimony. Reports also indicated that Gauci’s brother, Paul, was considered for a $1 million reward for their cooperation.
A letter from Detective Superintendent Tom McCulloch of Scottish Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary described Gauci’s evidence as pivotal to Megrahi’s conviction and supported his eligibility for the reward. These revelations further fueled debates over the integrity of the trial.
What Happened to Tony Gauci?
On 29 October 2016, Tony Gauci, the key witness in the Lockerbie bombing case, died at the age of 75 from natural causes. Life was pretty tough after the case for Gauci and his family; they were under severe media scrutiny. According to his brother, Paul Gauci, reporters and photographers kept visiting them and putting pressure on them. Rumors, unverified, were floating that Tony Gauci had immigrated to Australia in the late 2010s to flee the public limelight.
Following his death, George Thomson, part of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi’s legal team, shared that Megrahi, before his death, had expressed a desire to confront Gauci in the afterlife. Thomson also claimed that Gauci may have lived a tortured life knowing his testimony possibly led to the conviction of an innocent man.
Despite his passing, Gauci remains a controversial figure in the Lockerbie case. His testimony was scrutinized during Megrahi’s posthumous appeal in 2020, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Watch Lockerbie: A search for truth on Peacock
