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Bulgarian medics in final appeal Libya sets date for medic ruling
(about 3 hours later)
Libya's Supreme Court has begun hearing a final appeal by six foreign medical workers sentenced to death for infecting children with HIV. Libya's Supreme Court says it will rule on 11 July on the final appeal of six foreign medical workers condemned for infecting 438 children with HIV.
Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor say they are innocent of giving tainted blood to 438 children. Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor say they are innocent of giving tainted blood to the children.
While the court is expected to uphold the verdicts, a deal on the medics' future is expected to be agreed soon. The court is expected to uphold their death sentences but may leave a final decision to the High Judicial Council.
It is thought that the sentences may be commuted in exchange for a compensation package for the children's families. The sentences may be commuted in exchange for a compensation package for the children's families.
Fifty-six of the 438 children given tainted blood at the Benghazi hospital in 1998 have since died.Fifty-six of the 438 children given tainted blood at the Benghazi hospital in 1998 have since died.
Outside the Tripoli courtroom, relatives of children who were infected with the virus have gathered, with many parents holding images of their sons and daughters. Outside the Tripoli courtroom, relatives of children who were infected with the virus gathered, with many parents holding images of their sons and daughters.
Poor hygienePoor hygiene
The medics have argued that poor hygiene was to blame for the infections.The medics have argued that poor hygiene was to blame for the infections.
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.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.
But the six were found guilty and sentenced to death twice, first in 2004 and again in 2006 following a court appeal.But the six were found guilty and sentenced to death twice, first in 2004 and again in 2006 following a court appeal.
The court is not expected to reach a verdict on Wednesday.
This hearing will be their final appeal in a case which has gripped public attention in both Libya and Bulgaria.This hearing will be their final appeal in a case which has gripped public attention in both Libya and Bulgaria.
The European Union and US have both been involved in the talks over a possible deal.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.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.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.