Death sentence have been passed down in Libya over five Bulgarian nurses who were indicted of intentionally infecting more than 400 children with HIV.
The 2004 death sentence on the ‘Benghazi six’ - five Bulgarian nurses (Kristiyana Valtcheva, Nasya Nenova, Valentina Siropulo, Valya Chervenyashka, and Snezhana Dimitrova) and one Palestinian doctor (Ashraf al-Hajuj)- was confirmed, and they were sentenced to death by firing squad, as requested by the Libyan prosecutor in his opening statement on 29 August 2006.
This incident triggered spark in Bulgaria on 20th of this month, where the rulings were described as ‘a political farce’ and a ‘mockery of justice.’ Some columnists even called for economic sanctions or even breaking off diplomatic relations with the North African country.
Bulgaria and European officials have held the hospital responsible for disseminating the infection because of the unhygienic practices and have blamed Libya for making the accused scapegoats to cover up poor conditions.
On the other hand, Libyan investigators told the court that infections were limited to the part of the hospital where the Bulgarian nurses had worked.
Present scenario:
However, there was joy on the plaintiffs` side as parents and relatives of the affected children celebrated the ruling. Will they ever know that dubious politics and unsafe hospital conditions - not these innocent nurses and doctor - killed their children?
In Libya, the 374 HIV-infected children still alive, together with all Libyan patients, nurses and doctors are more than ever vulnerable, making these fleeting instances of celebration hugely symbolic of what Libyan politics and its regime really are.
