Libyan Families Drop Death Demands in Bulgarian Medics HIV Trial
Politics | July 15, 2007, SundayThe relatives of HIV-infected children formally dropped on Sunday their demands for execution of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, who holds a Bulgarian passport.
The group representing the families and the medics reached a financial settlement out of court, which would pay the relatives of each child USD 1 M in compensation.
The six medics have been detained since 1999 on charges of deliberately infecting the children with HIV and were sentenced to death in 2004. Following an appeal and a re-trial, they were sentenced to death for a second time last year.
After reaching agreement, the medics signed the paperwork petitioning for their pardon, although it has been worded so as not to imply they were guilty of the charges, Darik News reported.
Libya's Supreme Judiciary Council is expected to hear their appeal on Monday.
It was the medics' final appeal in a case, which has gripped public attention in both Libya and Bulgaria and sparked a public outcry across the European Union and the United States.
Libya's High Judicial Council will have the final word on the death sentences. The nine-member body, which is headed by the minister of justice, could approve or reject the convictions or set a lighter sentence.
The financial settlement is expected to end the crisis.
The group representing the families and the medics reached a financial settlement out of court, which would pay the relatives of each child USD 1 M in compensation.
The six medics have been detained since 1999 on charges of deliberately infecting the children with HIV and were sentenced to death in 2004. Following an appeal and a re-trial, they were sentenced to death for a second time last year.
After reaching agreement, the medics signed the paperwork petitioning for their pardon, although it has been worded so as not to imply they were guilty of the charges, Darik News reported.
Libya's Supreme Judiciary Council is expected to hear their appeal on Monday.
It was the medics' final appeal in a case, which has gripped public attention in both Libya and Bulgaria and sparked a public outcry across the European Union and the United States.
Libya's High Judicial Council will have the final word on the death sentences. The nine-member body, which is headed by the minister of justice, could approve or reject the convictions or set a lighter sentence.
The financial settlement is expected to end the crisis.
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