Libya revokes HIV death sentences

The death sentences on foreign medics convicted of infecting Libyan children with HIV have been commuted to life in prison, a Libyan official has said.

Relatives of the 438 children had earlier dropped their demand for the death penalty, after accepting compensation worth $1m per child.

Libya's High Judicial Council is expected to confirm the new sentences.

Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor were found guilty of starting an HIV epidemic in the 1990s.

They say they are innocent.

The six, who have been in prison since 1999, say they were tortured to confess.