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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| UK teacher jailed over teddy row | UK teacher jailed over teddy row |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. | A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. |
| Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison and will then be deported. | Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison and will then be deported. |
| She escaped conviction for inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs, and will now appeal. | She escaped conviction for inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs, and will now appeal. |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband has expressed "in the strongest terms" the UK's concern at her detention. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has expressed "in the strongest terms" the UK's concern at her detention. |
| The Sudanese ambassador, Omer Siddiq, was called back to the Foreign Office to explain the decision. | The Sudanese ambassador, Omer Siddiq, was called back to the Foreign Office to explain the decision. |
| Officials said that during his 45-minute meeting Mr Miliband also spoke to the Sudanese acting foreign minister for 15 minutes on the telephone. | Officials said that during his 45-minute meeting Mr Miliband also spoke to the Sudanese acting foreign minister for 15 minutes on the telephone. |
| "There will be further contacts overnight and tomorrow in the search for a swift resolution of this issue," the Foreign Office added. | "There will be further contacts overnight and tomorrow in the search for a swift resolution of this issue," the Foreign Office added. |
| I have called in the Sudanese ambassador this evening to explain the decision and to discuss next steps Foreign Secretary David Miliband Reaction to verdict | I have called in the Sudanese ambassador this evening to explain the decision and to discuss next steps Foreign Secretary David Miliband Reaction to verdict |
| Before the meeting, Mr Miliband said he was "extremely disappointed" the charges had not been dismissed and repeated his view that it had been an "innocent misunderstanding by a dedicated teacher". | Before the meeting, Mr Miliband said he was "extremely disappointed" the charges had not been dismissed and repeated his view that it had been an "innocent misunderstanding by a dedicated teacher". |
| "Our priority now is to ensure Mrs Gibbons' welfare, and we will continue to provide consular assistance to her," he said. | "Our priority now is to ensure Mrs Gibbons' welfare, and we will continue to provide consular assistance to her," he said. |
| "I have called in the Sudanese ambassador this evening to explain the decision and to discuss next steps." | "I have called in the Sudanese ambassador this evening to explain the decision and to discuss next steps." |
| Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said he could not "see any justification" for the sentence, calling it an "absurdly disproportionate response" to a "minor cultural faux pas". | |
| Officials at the Foreign Office say the mood has changed as a result of the verdict. | Officials at the Foreign Office say the mood has changed as a result of the verdict. |
| Staff complaint | |
| The prime minister, Sudanese embassy officials in London and UK Muslim organisations all expressed the hope that Mrs Gibbons would be released. | The prime minister, Sudanese embassy officials in London and UK Muslim organisations all expressed the hope that Mrs Gibbons would be released. |
| But Sudan's top clerics had 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. | But Sudan's top clerics had 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. |
| She could have faced up to 40 lashes if found guilty on all three charges against her. | She could have faced up to 40 lashes if found guilty on all three charges against her. |
| In September, Mrs Gibbons allowed her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear Muhammad as part of a study of animals and their habitats. | In September, Mrs Gibbons allowed her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear Muhammad as part of a study of animals and their habitats. |
| The court heard that she was arrested on Sunday after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education. | The court heard that she was arrested on Sunday after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education. |
| What can't be named Muhammad? Respecting feelings abroad Bloggers condemn Sudan | |
| The BBC's Adam Mynott, in Khartoum, said Mrs Gibbons apologised to the court for any offence she may have caused. | The BBC's Adam Mynott, in Khartoum, said Mrs Gibbons apologised to the court for any offence she may have caused. |
| The school's director, Robert Boulos, told the AP news agency: "It's a very fair verdict, she could have had six months and lashes and a fine, and she only got 15 days and deportation." | The school's director, Robert Boulos, told the AP news agency: "It's a very fair verdict, she could have had six months and lashes and a fine, and she only got 15 days and deportation." |
| He said Mrs Gibbons would only serve another 10 days in prison, having already spent five in custody since her arrest. | He said Mrs Gibbons would only serve another 10 days in prison, having already spent five in custody since her arrest. |
| Prosecutor general Salah Eddin Abu Zaid had said Mrs Gibbons could expect a "swift and fair trial". | Prosecutor general Salah Eddin Abu Zaid had said Mrs Gibbons could expect a "swift and fair trial". |
| But Catherine Wolthuizen, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said Mrs Gibbons' treatment was excessive. | But Catherine Wolthuizen, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said Mrs Gibbons' treatment was excessive. |
| She said: "It was a very speedy justice process. Although she has been found guilty of all the counts of causing offence, she has thankfully not been subjected to 40 lashes. | She said: "It was a very speedy justice process. Although she has been found guilty of all the counts of causing offence, she has thankfully not been subjected to 40 lashes. |
| "Having said this, 15 days in a Sudanese prison for an innocent misunderstanding is a serious and harsh punishment indeed." | "Having said this, 15 days in a Sudanese prison for an innocent misunderstanding is a serious and harsh punishment indeed." |