LAST DITCH ATTEMPT TO SAVE BULGARIAN NURSES

5.22.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Jul 2007

Liz Lynne MEP, Member of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights, has hit out at the decision by the Libyan Supreme Court to uphold the death sentences on five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor convicted for infecting children with HIV.

Speaking from Strasbourg today, Liz said:

"The decision to uphold the death sentences is appalling given scientific evidence which emerged proving that they could not have been involved."

"We must however not forget the hugely tragic circumstances of the infected children and their families so I welcome the medical assistance granted by the European Union."

"Let us now hope that the Libyan High Judiciary Council, in the final decision, takes the opportunity on Monday to show clemency, commute the sentences and release the six."

ENDS