LIBYA: Libya Sentences Bulgarians, Palestinian to Death

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

LIBYA: Libya Sentences Bulgarians, Palestinian to Death

Reuters (05.06.04) - Thursday, May 06, 2004
Salah Sarrar

Six Bulgarian health workers and a Palestinian doctor convicted of infecting 426 Libyan children with HIV were today sentenced to death by firing squad, Libyan court officials said. The medics had pleaded not guilty, saying they were not at fault for the infections. "I'm shocked by the verdicts. The government's official position is that we're not going to accept them. Such verdicts are unfair and without grounds," Bulgarian Justice Minister Anton Stankov said in Sofia. Families of the medics were stunned and declined to speak to the media.

In contrast, scores of relatives of the HIV-infected children celebrated in the streets near the court building. "The verdict is fair. What they did is a crime against humanity. They planted a bomb inside our children," said Ramdane Ali Mohamed, whose younger sister died of AIDS. Since the health workers were detained in early 1999, more than 40 children have died - adding to already heated feelings about the case in both countries.

The case garnered significant attention in recent weeks after Libya emerged from international isolation with its December decision to scrap its nuclear and chemical arms program. "We expect a strong reaction from all our partners, especially the European Union, the United States and NATO, who have all put forth efforts to ensure a fair trial," said Stankov. Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Ognyan Gerdzhikov said it is unlikely that Libya would carry out the death sentences, adding that he expects Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi "to act like a humanist to win certain political credit, which he needs from world public opinion."

Last year, Luc Montagnier, co-discoverer of HIV, testified that the epidemic emerged in the Benghazi hospital in 1997 - a year before the medics arrived - probably due to unsanitary conditions. "Libyan authorities did not want to reach to truth about the epidemic, and I continue to stress that the Bulgarians are not to blame," said Stankov. Defense lawyers said they will appeal the sentences.
040506
AD040936

Copyright © 2004 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.