Bulgarian Medics' Trial May be Adjourned Again for Jan 31 - Lawyer
2005-12-19 00:00:00
The hearing of the death sentences appeal by the Bulgarian medics may be re-adjourned for 31 January 2006.

Talking to private Nova TV Libyan defence lawyer Osman Bizanti said that a new adjournment is very possible to a date when the Supreme Court of Libya is to finally rule on the appeals case.

Last Friday, the court rescheduled the date for the session from January 31, 2006, to December 25, 2005.

Bizanti then said it was the defence that had requested an earlier date, since the defendants have been behind bars for about seven years already. He admitted his request had not been coordinated with the rest of the defence team.

Libyan Supreme Court can either hold up the death sentences or order a new trial. There is also a possibility for the hearing to be put off.

On May 6, 2004, when Bulgaria was celebrating major Christian festivities of Gergyovden, the five Bulgarian medics were sentenced to death by firing squad. They were pronounced guilty of deliberately infecting 400 Libyan children with HIV.

Now, on Christmas Bulgaria will anticipate Libyan court's ruling on the fate of the medics.