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Monday, 26 December 2005 09:56 | BNN: British Nursing News Online · www.bnn-online.co.uk
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The Libyan Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences against five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor yesterday.
The six were condemned to face death by firing squad after they were found guilty of knowingly infecting children with the HIV virus. About 50 of the children have since died.
The medics, who have spent almost seven years in prison, say they were made scapegoats for poor hospital hygiene.
The Supreme Court ordered the retrial after hearing an appeal by the health workers, who said their confessions were extracted under torture.
The medics also presented the testimony of Western medical experts, who said the outbreak started before they arrived and was probably caused by unhygienic practices.
US State Department spokesman Justin Higgins described the decision as "a positive development since it removes the risk of the death penalty being carried out".
"As we have made clear before, we believe a way should be found to allow the medics to return to their home," he said.
The Council of Europe welcomed the decision and said it hoped the new trial will "comply with the internationally recognised standards of fairness and due process".
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