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Bulgarian medics in final appeal Bulgarian medics in final appeal
(40 minutes later)
Libya's Supreme Court is to begin an appeals hearing in the case of foreign medical workers sentenced to death for infecting children with the HIV virus. Libya's Supreme Court is set to hear a final appeal by six foreign medical workers sentenced to death for infecting children with HIV.
There are expectations an agreement granting long-term medical care to the children may follow the verdict. Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor say they are innocent of giving tainted blood to over 400 children.
Five of the six medics - who all insist they are innocent - may be released as part of a deal after the appeal. While the court is expected to uphold the verdicts, a deal on the medics' future is expected to be soon agreed.
This case has gripped the public's attention in both Libya and Bulgaria for several years. It is thought that the sentences may be commuted in exchange for a compensation package for the children's families.
A total of 438 children were given tainted blood at the Benghazi hospital in 1998. Fifty-six have since died.A total of 438 children were given tainted blood at the Benghazi hospital in 1998. Fifty-six have since died.
The five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor have denied all charges against them, arguing that poor hygiene was to blame. Poor hygiene
But they were found guilty and sentenced to death twice. This is their final appeal. The medics have argued that poor hygiene was to blame for the infections.
Whatever the verdict, there have been signs in recent weeks that a deal may be close. During their trial, one of the doctors who helped first isolate the HIV virus, Luc Montagnier, testified that the hospital epidemic began before the accused started working at the hospital.
The European Union and US have both been involved in the talks. But the six were found guilty and sentenced to death twice, first in 2004 and again in 2006 following a court appeal.
The High Judicial Council in Libya has the power to commute the sentences. This hearing will be their final appeal in a case which has gripped public attention in both Libya and Bulgaria.
An international fund would ensure life-long medical care for the children and the Bulgarians might finally return home. The European Union and US have both been involved in the talks over a possible deal.
During a visit to Bulgaria last week, US President George W Bush appealed for the release of the medics.
On Tuesday, Bulgaria announced that it had granted citizenship to the Palestinian doctor, ensuring that he would be part of any deal reached after the verdict.