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UK teacher goes to court in Sudan UK teacher goes to court in Sudan
(41 minutes later)
A British teacher charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs has arrived at court.A British teacher charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs has arrived at court.
Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, appeared shaken as she was escorted by police officers into the Khartoum building, a BBC correspondent said. Journalists were prevented from entering the court as Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, went inside.
Police with riot shields and helmets stationed outside the court prevented journalists from entering. She was arrested after complaints that her primary school pupils had called their class teddy bear Muhammad, the same name as the Muslim prophet.
The UK foreign secretary said he hoped common sense would prevail in the case.
If convicted, Mrs Gibbons could face a prison sentence, a fine or 40 lashes.If convicted, Mrs Gibbons could face a prison sentence, a fine or 40 lashes.
She was arrested on Sunday in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad in September. She was arrested on Sunday in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear in September.
Muhammad is a popular name in mainly-Muslim Sudan.
A boy in Mrs Gibbons class has said he suggested to the class the teddy bear be named after himself.
'Chaotic' scenes'Chaotic' scenes
Her arrest came after several parents made complaints to Sudan's Ministry of Education.
When she arrived at the building on Thursday she was taken with about 20 officers into one court before being ushered into another room - in scenes described as "chaotic" by BBC reporter Amber Henshaw.When she arrived at the building on Thursday she was taken with about 20 officers into one court before being ushered into another room - in scenes described as "chaotic" by BBC reporter Amber Henshaw.
Embassy officials and her legal team were initally not granted access to her, but were later allowed into the courtroom. Embassy officials and her legal team were initially not granted access to her, but were later allowed into the courtroom.
The hearing is expected to start at 2pm local time (1100 GMT).
Meanwhile, in London Foreign Secretary David Miliband is due to meet the Sudan ambassador to discuss the case.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he was "surprised and disappointed" that the teacher had been charged following blasphemy claims.
What can't be named Muhammad?What can't be named Muhammad?
Earlier, Sudanese state media said prosecutors had completed their investigation and decided to charge Mrs Gibbons under Article 125 of the Sudanese criminal code. The hearing was expected to start at 2pm local time (1100 GMT), but with no reporters allowed to observe, it was difficult to confirm if it had started.
The Muslim Council of Britain reacted angrily to the news, saying it was "appalled" and demanded Mrs Gibbons' immediate release. Meanwhile, in London Foreign Secretary David Miliband is due to meet the Sudan ambassador to discuss the case.
"This is a disgraceful decision and defies common sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith," said Secretary-General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, in a strongly-worded statement. Before the meeting, he told reporters that he would express Britain's strong view that the incident was an innocent misunderstanding and hoped it would be resolved swiftly.
"We call upon the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, to intervene in this case without delay to ensure that Ms Gibbons is freed from this quite shameful ordeal," said Dr Bari. He said Britain had respect for such sensitive issues, and hoped common sense would prevail while allowing the Sudanese legal system to proceed.
The Sudanese Embassy in London had said the situation was a "storm in a teacup" and signalled that the teacher could be released soon, attributing the incident to a cultural misunderstanding. He said the incident was a consular case which was distressing for Mrs Gibbons but was not political.
But Sudan's top clerics have called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam. Khalid al Mubarak, of the Sudanese embassy in London, said Mrs Gibbons had sufficient support.
'Sensationalist' reporting
"Like all legal systems the judge can decide to dismiss the whole thing or that the case goes on anyway.
"Mrs Gibbons has consular support, the British embassy has one of the best solicitors in the country whom I know personally.
"There is no worry on that front at all. She will be very well represented and well treated."
Even though the British government has expressed concern about the arrest, Mr al Mubarak dismissed any suggestion that diplomatic relations had become strained, instead saying there had been "sensationalist" reporting.
"The general situation and relationship are very good now, with the exception of this minute and unexpected incident of Mrs Gibbons."
Sudan's top clerics have called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam.