Bulgarian Foreign Ministry asked for information concerning the words of Slovak prime minister Robert Fico used in a letter to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddaffi.

Czech daily Hospodarske Noviny reported that in the letter the Bulgarian nurses charged with intentional HIV infection were called 'criminals', Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Slovak media reported that when Fico used the word criminals, he showed his approval of Libyan court. Media also quoted Fico's explanation that he used the word, because it was frequently used in criminal law with the meaning of 'accused.'

Bulgarian Ambassador to Slovakia Ognyan Gurkov said exact translation is being worked on. Gurkov said that he did not believe Fico could have called the nurses and the Palestinian medic 'criminals' intentionally.

Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin said that Slovakia clearly showed its support for the nurses in all previous discussions on the trial in Libya.