CNN.com (08.25.04) - Thursday, August 26, 2004

In May, the health professionals were convicted of spreading HIV/AIDS to 400 Libyans, mostly children. At least 23 children have reportedly died from AIDS, although Dr. Idris El-Ammari, director of Bengasi hospital, said 45 children have died from it.

In February 1999, the Libyan government accused six Bulgarians and the Palestinian doctor of participating in a CIA/Israeli secret police plot. Later, officials changed the charge, alleging that the accused infected Libyans as part of an experiment to develop a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Luc Montagne, co-discoverer of HIV, testified on behalf of the workers, saying he believed the Libyans were likely infected more than a year before the Bulgarians arrived. Other AIDS experts also testified.

Five Bulgarians and the Palestinian are appealing their sentence of death by firing squad. No ruling has been issued. The sixth Bulgarian was sentenced to four years in prison for currency violations. He has served four years since his arrest, and Bulgarian authorities are urging his release.

Jackson told CNN he wanted to meet with the prisoners and discuss the case with Libyan authorities. He arrived in Tripoli Tuesday to meet with officials about the AIDS situation as well as to discuss Libya's role in the crisis in Sudan.
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