The International Secretariat of World Organization against Terror (OMCT) has been informed by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, of developments in the trial of five Bulgarian nurses and one doctor, one Palestinian and 9 Libyans, in Libya, reads a press release of the organization. The press release gives full account of the history of the trial against the Bulgarian medics and one Palestinian doctor, charged with intentionally infecting Libyan children with HIV.

“OMCT welcomes the fact that the persons in question have been moved to a private house, as the conditions of their detention will likely improve substantially, but fears that they may be sentenced to death as a result of the upcoming trial before the criminal court. Furthermore, OMCT is gravely concerned about the Libyan authorities' use of arbitrary arrests, incommunicado detentions, torture and ill-treatment, as well as widespread violations of these persons' procedural rights and right to a fair trial, “ the statement of the organization reads.

All of the defendants have complained that during the initial stage of detention they have been subjected to torture and inhuman treatment, the document points out. “The forms of torture to which they have been subjected typically include: electrocution, beating with electrical wire, being kept naked and crucified for lengthy periods of time, being beaten on the soles of the feet, being drugged, the use of fire and ice-cold showers, being held in over-crowded cells, being blinded by bright lights and being intimidated and bitten by police dogs” OMCT reiterates.

Through the statement to the media, the World Organization against terror requested everyone to write to the authorities in Libya to urge them to” “order the persons in question's immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial, independent and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times; order a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of these arrests and alleged ill-treatment and torture during the prisoners detention, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law; guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.” The document lists the addresses of high-ranking officials to whom it can be written. For more information, look at http://www.omct.org/displaydocument.asp?DocType=Appeal&Index=1138&La

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