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HIV medics released to Bulgaria HIV medics released to Bulgaria
(30 minutes later)
Six Bulgarian medics who were serving life sentences in Libya have been freed and are now on a plane to Bulgaria.Six Bulgarian medics who were serving life sentences in Libya have been freed and are now on a plane to Bulgaria.
The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor were convicted of deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV - charges they have always denied.The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor were convicted of deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV - charges they have always denied.
The release follows years of diplomacy by EU officials and two trips to Libya by the new French president's wife.The release follows years of diplomacy by EU officials and two trips to Libya by the new French president's wife.
An EU official told the BBC the release had been made possible by a deal struck in Tripoli on improving Libya-EU ties.An EU official told the BBC the release had been made possible by a deal struck in Tripoli on improving Libya-EU ties.
The European Union's External Affairs Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, signed a memorandum promising that the EU would improve relations with Libya and that she would make a proposal to that effect to the 27 EU member states, an official in Brussels said. It comes after years of patient efforts by the European Commission, with the EU's external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, making numerous trips to Libya, meeting the prisoners and working to improve the conditions for hundreds of children with HIV/Aids.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner and Cecilia Sarkozy, the wife of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, are reportedly on board the French government plane taking the Bulgarians home. Archaeological help
According to EU officials the key to the agreement has been a memorandum signed in Tripoli by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner, which would lead to the full normalisation of EU relations with Libya.
The dramatic case with the sentenced innocent Bulgarian citizens is at its end. We are still sympathetic with the other tragedy - the one of the infected Libyan children and their families Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov Profiles: The medics The BBC's Oana Lungescu says it includes a pledge to open the European market to Libyan farm and fishery produce, technical assistance for the restoration of archaeological monuments and EU grants for Libyan students.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner and Cecilia Sarkozy, the wife of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, are on board the French government plane taking the Bulgarians home.
Last week, the six had death sentences commuted to life in prison by Libya's top legal body.Last week, the six had death sentences commuted to life in prison by Libya's top legal body.
The High Judicial Council ruling came after the families of the 438 children agreed a compensation deal reportedly worth $1m (£500,000) per child.The High Judicial Council ruling came after the families of the 438 children agreed a compensation deal reportedly worth $1m (£500,000) per child.
Transfer dealTransfer deal
Bulgaria had officially asked Libya to repatriate the medics so they could serve out their sentences in Bulgaria.Bulgaria had officially asked Libya to repatriate the medics so they could serve out their sentences in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov said he was satisfied with the release of the medics.
The deal follows years of patient efforts by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner"The dramatic case with the sentenced innocent Bulgarian citizens is at its end. We are still sympathetic with the other tragedy - the one of the infected Libyan children and their families," he said.
The Palestinian doctor was granted Bulgarian citizenship last month to allow him to benefit from any transfer deal.The Palestinian doctor was granted Bulgarian citizenship last month to allow him to benefit from any transfer deal.
The medics were convicted of deliberately injecting 438 children with HIV-tainted blood. Fifty-six children have since died.The medics were convicted of deliberately injecting 438 children with HIV-tainted blood. Fifty-six children have since died.
The six, who have been in prison since 1999, say they were tortured to confess.The six, who have been in prison since 1999, say they were tortured to confess.
Foreign experts say the infections started before the medics arrived at the hospital, and are more likely to have been a result of poor hygiene.Foreign experts say the infections started before the medics arrived at the hospital, and are more likely to have been a result of poor hygiene.
Bulgaria, its allies in the European Union, and the United States say Libya has used the case to deflect criticism from its run-down health service.Bulgaria, its allies in the European Union, and the United States say Libya has used the case to deflect criticism from its run-down health service.