Medical Workers’ Trial is Test Case for Libya’s Progress

Medical Workers’ Trial is Test Case for Libya’s Progress

Five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor accused of intentionally infecting over 400 children with HIV as part of a CIA and Israeli intelligence plot are scheduled to have their fate decided by order of the Libyan high court on Dec. 19.

On May 6, 2004, the six defendants were sentenced to death by firing squad in a trial observers say flaunted disrespect for human rights in every respect. Nine Libyan health workers also charged in the case were acquitted the same day.

Libya's Supreme Court threw out the verdict in early 2005 following Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi's efforts to court the international community and in the face widespread condemnation, and called for the retrial that ended last month. During the retrial, the prosecution asked for the lower court's death sentences to be upheld, while the defense argued evidence had been manipulated and procedures violated.

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