TRIPOLI: Libya’s high court on Tuesday delayed a ruling on an appeal by six foreign medics sentenced to death for infecting hundreds of children with the AIDS virus in a case that has raised international concern. Judge Ali al-Allush said the case involving five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, who have already been in custody for six years, had been put back to November 15 but he gave no further details.

The decision was hailed as encouraging by Bulgaria and the European Union, but both urged Libya to solve the issue urgently as the accused have already spent six years in prison.

Angry scuffles erupted outside the court at the judge’s decision, with families of some children trying to get into the Tripoli courtroom and forcing officials to shut the doors to keep them out.

Chants of “Kill them or kill us” echoed round the building as security forces tried to control the demonstrators, some of whom vented their wrath against Othman al-Bizanti, the nurses’ defence lawyer.—AFP