The news of convicted bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi’s deathbed memoirs, set to be released next week, is shocking and disrespectful to the Syracuse University community and to all those affected by the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing.

Al-Megrahi is the only person to ever be convicted for the bombing, which took the lives of 35 SU students returning from study abroad trips in London and Florence. A total of 270 people died when the plane crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland. Al-Megrahi was released from a life sentence in prison on compassionate grounds more than two years ago when it was believed he was dying from pancreatic cancer.

A court of law already found Al-Megrahi guilty. His memoirs, which claim differently, should not change anyone’s opinion. People should not be looking to pick up his book and read his version of the story. Al-Megrahi had the chance to proclaim his innocence during the trial.

In an attempt to avoid public backlash, all proceeds from the book are going to charities. Regardless of where the money goes, there should be, and probably will be, public backlash for this book being published at all. The very act of publishing the memoirs claiming his innocence is distasteful and offensive.

Some parents of SU students who were lost in the bombing have already stated their anger for this book being published. The families have been coping with the loss of their loved ones since Dec. 21, 1988. This book will only accentuate the anguish and heartache the families have dealt with for more than 23 years. Given the book’s upcoming release, the SU community, as it has in the past, should be especially supportive as wounds reopen.