27/11/2007

Officials Bid To Have 'Muhammad Teddy' Teacher Released

British officials in Sudan are reported to be attempting to secure the release of a British school teacher, arrested for allowing pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad.

Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, is being questioned by Sudanese authorities, after being arrested on Sunday, accused of insulting the Islamic Prophet.

However, on Tuesday afternoon, Sky News reported that officials have been denied access to Ms Gibbons.

The incident happened in September. Ms Gibbons had allowed her class of seven-year-olds at the Unity High School in central Khartoum to name the bear as part of a school project.

She was arrested under article 125 of the Sudanese criminal law, which covers insults against faith and religion.

British officials have visited Ms Gibbons in Khartoum prison and have confirmed that she is in good spirits.

Robert Boulos, director of the school where Ms Gibbons taught, said that she would never have wanted to insult Islam and said that she had made a "completely innocent mistake".

If she is convicted, Ms Gibbons could face 40 lashes, a large fine or six months in jail.

(KMcA)


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