Verdict Date Set for Libyan AIDS Trial Against Bulgarians

On April 15, a Libyan court will announce the verdict for seven health care workers charged for injecting children in a Benghazi hospital with HIV-tainted blood products, Bulgarian radio reported Monday. The prosecution has called for the death penalty for the defendants -- six Bulgarians and a Palestinian -- who have all pleaded not guilty during their five years of incarceration. Libyan medical experts have testified that 43 of 426 children allegedly infected have died of AIDS. The defendants have relied on testimony by HIV's co-discoverer, Luc Montagnier, who said the hospital epidemic was caused by poor hygiene and broke out before the defendants arrived. Two of the nurses and the Palestinian doctor have recanted signed confessions, alleging they did not understand the statements, which they said were made under coercion. The European Union has demanded that the defendants be discharged.

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