British teacher in Sudan could face six months in jail or 40 lashes for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad
November 28, 2007 7:58 pm Sudan, Islamism beyond the Shibboleths
A teddy on sale in Sudan
Teacher charged over teddy row, BBC, November 28, 2007
A British teacher has been charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.
The Foreign Office has confirmed that charges have been laid against Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool.
She was arrested in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he will summon the Sudanese ambassador “as a matter of urgency”.
In a statement, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was “surprised and disappointed” at the charges.
A spokesman said the first step was to “understand the rationale behind the charge”, something which would be discussed by Mr Miliband and the ambassador as soon as possible.
‘Shameful ordeal’
“We will consider our response in the light of that,” he added.
Lawyers say Mrs Gibbons faces six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine if convicted.
Sudanese state media said prosecutors had completed their investigation and decided to charge Mrs Gibbons under Article 125 of the Sudanese criminal code.