The court in Tripoli confirmed on December 19 the death sentences of the five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian medic charged with the intentional HIV infection of more than 400 children in Benghazi.

A death sentence was previously issued but in the end of 2005 Libya's Supreme Court ordered re-trial due to procedural violations.

The December 19 court sitting was supposed to be the final in the trial. Lawyers of the Bulgarians can appeal the death sentences before Libya's Supreme Court in a 30-day period.

Death sentences were issued on charges of intentional mass HIV infection. Previous charges of illegal currency trade and alcohol consumption were dismissed.

Focus news agency reported that a translator was not present at the final court sitting.

A crowd formed in front of the courthouse in the morning before the sitting took place. The parents of the infected children, as well as Libyan citizens rejoiced upon the issuing of the death sentences, Agence France-Presse reported.

Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin said that the court decision was unacceptable and once again failed taking into consideration scientific evidence.

Other means could be used to guarantee a fair outcome, Kalfin told Bulgarian National Radio. Bulgaria was going to continue doing everything possible to change the outcome, said he.