Bulgarian, Palestinian medics appeal death sentence in Libya News
Bulgarian, Palestinian medics appeal death sentence in Libya

[JURIST] Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor have appealed death sentences they received in Libya [JURIST news archive] for infecting hundreds of children with HIV. The appeals court hearing the case said it would rule on May 31. The six medics have been imprisoned since 1999 on charges they deliberately gave 426 children tainted blood transfusions as part of an experiment. The health workers have maintained their innocence, however, claiming the children were already infected prior to being treated. The death sentences have been vigorously opposed by the Bulgarian government [official website] and have become a source of international tension. However, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has refused to issue a pardon. BBC News has more.