Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - December 29, 2006
"We will follow and exhaust all means of defense that Libya's judiciary offers," Ivailo Kalfin told reporters. "This, however, should happen as quickly as possible."
A Libyan court earlier this month convicted the six of intentionally infecting more than 400 Libyan children with HIV and sentenced them to death, despite scientific evidence that the youngsters had the virus before the medical workers arrived in Libya.
The six - who have been in Libyan custody for almost eight years - now plan to appeal their convictions and sentences before Libya's Supreme Court.
The death sentences triggered outrage among Bulgarian civil groups and media. Some called for economic sanctions or the breaking of diplomatic relations with Tripoli. The European Union and the U.S. also expressed shock and disappointment at the verdict.
This angered Libya, which issued a sharp statement, denouncing Western criticism over the case.
"The positions expressed by the Bulgarian government, the European Union and others are political stances which are biased toward certain values which are not faraway from inciting wars, conflicts, hostilities between civilizations and religions," the Libyan Foreign Ministry said in a declaration late Thursday.
Kalfin, however, defended Bulgaria's strong reaction to the death sentences and protested against what he called accusations of ethnic or religious intolerance.
"We had every reason to believe that the Libyan court would take into account the evidence (of the nurses' claims of innocence) but that did not happen," Kalfin said. "The reaction in Bulgaria was absolutely reasonable and (Libya) could hardly expect any other after such a verdict."
"Bulgaria has achieved a good level of ethnic and religious tolerance and the last accusation Libya can throw against Bulgaria is of inciting religious enmities," Kalfin added.
He said he had summoned the acting head of the Libyan Embassy in Sofia to defend Bulgarian reactions to the Libyan verdict and to repeat Bulgaria's insistence for a speedy trial.
Kalfin said Bulgaria would continue talks with Libya in the hope of finding a political solution to the case. These talks have been led by Libyan, Bulgarian, European and U.S. diplomats, but haven't yet yielded a result.
061229
AP061257
Copyright © 2006 - 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 2006. 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, 2006. 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. .