Former Libyan intelligence operative Abu Agila Masud plead not guilty on Wednesday to assembling the explosives used in the 1988 bombing of an American jetliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people.

The 71 year-old entered his plea in federal court in Washington, following his kidnapping in November at his family home in Tripoli and extradition the following month.

“At this time your honor we would enter a plea of not guilty,” said Whitney Minter, a public defender.

US authorities said they would seek Masud’s continued detention pending trial at a bond hearing on February 23. He possibly faces two counts, including the destruction of an aircraft resulting in death, which is punishable by up to life in prison.

Two other Libyan intelligence officers have already been tried in the bombing.

A Scottish court in 2001 convicted Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi but acquitted alleged accomplice Lamen Khalifa Fhimah.

Megrahi was released from serving a life sentence in 2009 after being diagnosed with cancer. He died three years later.