By Martin Banks - 16th April 2007
Five Bulgarian nurses being held on death row in Libya want to stand in upcoming European parliamentary elections.
The medics are accused of deliberately infecting hundreds of Libyan children with HIV, charges that they strenuously deny.
They now want to register as candidates in Bulgaria for the political party Order, Lawfulness and Justice (RSS) for the 20 May election to the European parliament.
Under the terms of their accession, both Bulgaria and Romania must hold European elections within one year of joining the EU. Romania is due to hold elections later this year.
“Their reasoning appears to be that the Libyan authorities are highly unlikely to execute MEPs,” said a source with the Socialist Bulgarian delegation.
As is the case with Romanian deputies, the current 18 Bulgarian MEPs were appointed by their national parliament and most are expected to seek re-election.
The nurses deny infecting 426 children with HIV at a hospital in the late 1990s. More than 50 have since died, according to the Libyan authorities.
Many western diplomats and scientists believe poor hygiene standards were responsible for the infections.
They were arrested almost eight years ago and sentenced to death in May 2004.
The now highly politicised case is complicating Libya’s effort to normalise its international ties.
Many doubt the medics will be executed, though Libya could drive a hard bargain in return for sparing them.
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