BBC News - Saturday, 22 September, 2001
Libyan prosecutors are demanding the death penalty for the workers, who are accused of injecting 393 children with HIV-contaminated blood.
The indictment said the infection was part of a conspiracy by foreign intelligence forces to undermine Libyan security and its role in the Arab world.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty.
The trial has provoked strong feelings in Bulgaria after two of the defendants alleged they had been tortured and made confessions under duress.
It has also raised concern among human rights groups who have complained about reports that HIV-contaminated plasma was discovered at a defendant's apartment while she was in police custody, and the refusal of the court to allow expert opinion from Switzerland and France.
Amnesty International has said "there have been serious irregularities in ... pre-trial proceedings".
Bad practices
Bulgaria has accused Libya of holding a political trial and has repeatedly called for an independent team of international experts to study the case and testify.
Luc Perrin, head of virology at Geneva University Hospital, said the contamination was caused by "bad medical practices."
Perrin, who examined 40 of the children, said at least half were also infected with hepatitis C, which suggests the hospital had reused needles.
The court has refused to allow Perrin to testify.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said the CIA or Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, were behind the childrens' illnesses.
He has blamed other crises on the United States and Israel, both of which accuse Libya of supporting terrorism.
Besides the murder and conspiracy counts, the Bulgarians are charged with drinking in public - alcohol is banned in Libya - and engaging in extramarital sex.
Nine Libyans charged in the same case are out on bail.
Othman el-Bezanti, the lawyer defending the Bulgarians, said that if they are found guilty, they have two stages of appeal.
010922
BB010910
Copyright © 2001 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
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 UK, 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Always watch for outdated information.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 2001. 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, 2001. 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.
.