Associated Press - December 26, 2005

The order for a retrial appeared to be an attempt to end the standoff between Libya and the West over the prosecution of the medics. Bulgaria's president said Saturday that he was hopeful for a breakthrough in the case after a deal was reached between Libyan and European negotiators.

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is believed to have been looking for a face-saving way out of the case, which had poisoned his attempts to rebuild ties with the West. Europe and the U.S. accused Libya of making up the charges that the medics deliberately infected 400 children with the HIV virus at a hospital in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

The supreme court in Tripoli accepted the appeal by the medics and ordered a new trial be held at the Benghazi criminal court.

The prosecutors agreed with defense lawyers that there were "irregularies" in the arrest and the interrogation of the medical workers, the judge said.

Relatives of the infected children demonstrated in front of the court, raising banners against the medics. "Merry Christmas to you, nurses, but what did we do to you that you infect us?" The six medical workers were convicted in May 2004 and sentenced to death by firing squad. At least 50 of the 426 children infected with the virus that leads to AIDS are reported to have died.

But the nurses said they had been tortured to extract confessions. Human-rights groups and others allege that Libya concocted the charges to cover up unhygienic practices in its hospitals that led to the infections.

On Thursday, a deal was announced under which Bulgaria, the U.S., Britain and the European Union agreed to set up a non-governmental organization to collect and distribute financial and material help to the families of the infected children.

In previous talks, Bulgaria rejected paying compensation to the families of the HIV victims, saying that would imply the medical workers' guilt and amount to blackmail. But in Thursday's deal they did agree to contribute to the aid effort through the NGO.

Bulgarian state radio on Saturday quoted Idris Laga, a Libyan representative of the parents of the infected children, as saying that on Dec. 28 the Libyan side will announce the amount of compensation the families request.

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said Saturday that he expected a "breakthrough ... a positive result which is expected for such a long time." "The negotiations have reached a very far development and there does appear to be some light at the end of the tunnel, but let me say it clear: The release will come at a very high price," he said.

051226
AP051238

Copyright © 2005 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. 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, 2005. 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. .