Libya offers to release foreign medics convicted in AIDS trial if compensated News
Libya offers to release foreign medics convicted in AIDS trial if compensated

[JURIST] Libya is willing to release of five Bulgarian nurses convicted of infecting over 400 Libyan patients, primarily children [JURIST news archive] in exchange for compensation, Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader Colonel Muhamar Gaddafi [BBC profile], told the Bulgarian newspaper 24 Hours [media website] Monday. Seif al-Islam said the plan – designed to satisfy the parents of those affected as well as Libya, Bulgaria, and the EU – anticipates "substantial compensation for the families of those affected." Al-Islam also promised that Libya would not carry out the death sentences against the six medics, adding "there will be no executions… Libya is not Iraq."

The five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor were convicted and sentenced [JURIST report] to death in their second trial on December 19 after the initial guilty verdict was overturned by the Libyan Supreme Court in 2005 and a retrial ordered [JURIST reports]. Bulgaria and its allies, including the US [JURIST report] and the European Union, contend that the nurses are innocent and have said they have been tortured into admitting guilt in the case [BBC trial timeline; BBC Q&A]. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.