The political talks between representatives from the US, the European Union, Libya and Bulgaria on the case with the five Bulgarian nurses jailed in Libya are already taking place in Sofia, private bTV channel reported.

Just a day earlier the planned meeting was announced. The consultations seek ways of solving the crisis with the Bulgarian medics and Palestinian doctor held captive in Libya for a seventh year now.

There would be no briefing after Sofia's talks but it is clear that Bulgaria wants further development of several matters - the visa of the acquitted doctor Zdravko Georgiev, the speed up of the re trial of the case and the setting of a new date for the hearing of the case.

US Ambassador to Bulgaria John Beyrle expressed hopes that Sofia talks would result in a final decision both for the HIV infected children and for the nurses that are also suffering.

Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor were found guilty of causing the HIV epidemic at a Benghazi pediatric hospital.

Libyan court sentenced Kristiana Valcheva, Nasya Nenova, Valya Cherveniashka, Valentina Siropulo and Snezhana Dimitrova to death by firing squad on May 6, 2004 after finding them guilty in the AIDS trial that has lingered for more than five years. The prosecution grounded its accusations mainly on the self-confessions of the Bulgarians who later renounced them claiming they were tortured into making false confessions.

Bulgaria has remained adamant in its refusal to pay indemnities for the freedom of the Bulgarian defendants, saying they were innocent.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!