Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Libya to hear 'HIV medics' appeal
BBC On-line - December 25, 2005
Libya's supreme court is to hear an appeal by six foreign health workers facing death sentences for "knowingly" infecting children with the HIV virus. The five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor were convicted in 2004 but say they were made scapegoats for poor hospital hygiene back in 1999. Bulgaria's president said he believed a breakthrough might soon be reached. Libya and Bulgaria on Friday agreed to set up a fund for the families of the 426 HIV-infected Libyan children. Tripoli has previously hinted the verdicts of death by firing squad could be quashed in return for humanitarian aid. The medics are basing their appeal on the testimony of Western medical experts who have said the outbreak started before they arrived and was probably caused by unhygienic practices. They say they were initially tortured into making false confessions. 'Positive' signs In a newspaper interview, Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov said he had reasons to expect a breakthrough in the talks for the nurses' release. Their freedom would come "at a very high price", he told the daily paper 24 Hours. A Bulgarian foreign ministry spokesman told the Reuters news agency a verdict could be reached by the end of the year. He said his view was based on the opinion of the defence team. But a Libyan official, Sayyed Khaddaf Eddam, said only that there were "indications of a possibility of concluding this matter in a positive way". The fund for the children's families was agreed during talks in Tripoli earlier this week. The European Commission, the US and the UK have also signed up to the fund, the Bulgarian statement said. About 50 of the children infected at the hospital in the Libyan city of Benghazi have died.
051225
BB051235
Always watch for outdated information.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.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
