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UK teacher goes to court in Sudan UK teacher goes to court in Sudan
(19 minutes later)
A British teacher charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs has entered the court building. A British teacher charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs has arrived at court.
Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, appeared very shaken and stunned as she was escorted by police officers into the Khartoum building. Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, appeared shaken as she was escorted by police officers into the Khartoum building, a BBC correspondent said.
If convicted, she could face a prison sentence, a fine or 40 lashes. Police with riot shields and helmets stationed outside the court prevented journalists from entering.
She was arrested in the city after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad. If convicted, Mrs Gibbons could face a prison sentence, a fine or 40 lashes.
Mrs Gibbons was arrested on Sunday after several parents made complaints to Sudan's Ministry of Education. She was arrested on Sunday in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad in September.
When she arrived at the building on Thursday she was taken with about 20 officers into one court before being ushered into another room - in scenes described as "chaotic". 'Chaotic' scenes
Embassy officials were not granted access to her, and it was not clear whether her legal team would be allowed in. Her arrest came after several parents made complaints to Sudan's Ministry of Education.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband is due to meet the Sudan ambassador in London to discuss the case. When she arrived at the building on Thursday she was taken with about 20 officers into one court before being ushered into another room - in scenes described as "chaotic" by BBC reporter Amber Henshaw.
Embassy officials and her legal team were initally not granted access to her, but were later allowed into the courtroom.
The hearing is expected to start at 2pm local time (1100 GMT).
Meanwhile, in London Foreign Secretary David Miliband is due to meet the Sudan ambassador to discuss the case.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he was "surprised and disappointed" that the teacher had been charged following blasphemy claims.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he was "surprised and disappointed" that the teacher had been charged following blasphemy claims.
What can't be named Muhammad?What can't be named Muhammad?
Earlier, Sudanese state media said prosecutors had completed their investigation and decided to charge Mrs Gibbons under Article 125 of the Sudanese criminal code.Earlier, Sudanese state media said prosecutors had completed their investigation and decided to charge Mrs Gibbons under Article 125 of the Sudanese criminal code.
The Muslim Council of Britain reacted angrily to the news, saying it was "appalled" and demanded Mrs Gibbons' immediate release.The Muslim Council of Britain reacted angrily to the news, saying it was "appalled" and demanded Mrs Gibbons' immediate release.
"This is a disgraceful decision and defies common sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith," said Secretary-General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, in a strongly-worded statement."This is a disgraceful decision and defies common sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith," said Secretary-General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, in a strongly-worded statement.
"We call upon the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, to intervene in this case without delay to ensure that Ms Gibbons is freed from this quite shameful ordeal," said Dr Bari."We call upon the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, to intervene in this case without delay to ensure that Ms Gibbons is freed from this quite shameful ordeal," said Dr Bari.
The Sudanese Embassy in London had said the situation was a "storm in a teacup" and signalled that the teacher could be released soon, attributing the incident to a cultural misunderstanding.The Sudanese Embassy in London had said the situation was a "storm in a teacup" and signalled that the teacher could be released soon, attributing the incident to a cultural misunderstanding.
But Sudan's top clerics have called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam.But Sudan's top clerics have called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam.
Mrs Gibbons was arrested on Sunday after several parents made complaints to Sudan's Ministry of Education.