The Bulgarian medics are free!

Finally! The Bulgarian nurses and the doctor have finally arrived in Bulgaria after 9 years in prison.

Quote :

BULGARIAN MEDICS TOUCH HOME SOIL

The five Bulgarian nurses, Doctor Zdravko Georgiev and the Palestinian Ashraf landed at 9.55 a.m. on Tuesday at Sofia Airport, enjoying the end of their eight-year-long ordeal.

The seven medics are accompanied by France's first lady Cecilia Sarkozy and the EU's External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who played an important role in the final stage of wrapping up the deal on Bulgarians' return home.

Thousands of people, relatives and officials welcomed the French governmental plane, which carried the seven medics.

The five nurses, the Palestinian doctor and doctor Zdravko Georgiev were let to leave Libya in the early hours of Tuesday, where they were jailed for more than eight years over accusations for the deliberate infection of 426 Libyan children with HIV.

Quote :

BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PARDONS MEDICS

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov pardoned the six medics 45 minutes after they touched home soil at the Sofia international airport.

Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin read the presidential decree at the press conference after welcoming the medics back to Bulgaria.

"Certain of their innocence, in accordance with the powers vested in him, President Parvanov pardons the medics," Kalfin said.

The five nurses and the Palestinian doctor, who has received Bulgarian citizenship in the meantime, were allowed to leave Libya in the early hours of Tuesday, where they were jailed for more than eight years over accusations for the deliberate infection of 426 Libyan children with HIV.

The six medics are expected at the presidential residence in Boyana, where they will undergo a medical exam.

I haven't expected that they leave Libya so soon after the repeal of the death sentences. I expected that this procedure will be very long and complicated. Thanks God, they're finally here.

Yes, I have read that this morning ! I was really happy and I thought a lot about them.
Plus, the Bulgarian President pardons them, so they're free !

I wish them a lot of happiness in their country and with their families...

Yes, I read the news too!! They were talking about this case on the tv as well. But it was nothing sure till this morning!!

I'm glad to hear everything is ok. I'm sure their families are relieved and incredibly happy.

I hoped for a reconciliation or a good solution.

I've read the news about Bulgarian medics this morning! And I'm really happy that now they are home!

That's so wonderful for them and their families!

I read somewhere that Cécilia Sarcozy is a descendent of Bulgarian Jews. I don't know if it's true, but if it's so, maybe her interest and participation in the negotiations are not accidental.

I have done some researchs, and her father was born in Romania in a Jew family. Her mother is from Spain.
Some things about Cecilia (in French) : link

I'm so happy for them!
It's soo good they are free after all these awful years!