Gray stressed that, while the justice secretary was required to consider the application for compassionate release, he was not bound to grant it.

VOA: standard.2009.08.24

Gray said a release on compassionate grounds must be tempered with justice, the rights of the victims must always be preserved.

VOA: standard.2009.08.24

Abdel Basset al-Megrahi received a warm welcome from flag waving Libyan supporters as he stepped off the plane Thursday in Tripoli, after his release from custody in Scotland on compassionate grounds.

VOA: standard.2009.08.21

Atkins, who has been declared terminally ill, was denied a compassionate release from prison in July 2008.

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Atkins' compassionate release was opposed by Tate's sister, Debra, Los Angeles County prosecutors and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others.

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In 2007, the department received 60 compassionate release requests, Thornton said.

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