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UK teacher goes to court in Sudan UK teacher goes to court in Sudan
(20 minutes later)
A British teacher charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs has arrived at court.A British teacher charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs has arrived at court.
Journalists were prevented from entering the court as Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, went inside.Journalists were prevented from entering the court as Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, went inside.
She was arrested after complaints that her primary school pupils had called their class teddy bear Muhammad, the same name as the Muslim prophet.She was arrested after complaints that her primary school pupils had called their class teddy bear Muhammad, the same name as the Muslim prophet.
The UK foreign secretary said he hoped common sense would prevail in the case. The PM is taking a "close interest" in the case and has spoken to her family.
And Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he hoped "common sense" would prevail in the case.
The Sudanese legal system has to take its course but common sense has to prevail David MilibandUK Foreign Secretary
If convicted, Mrs Gibbons could face a prison sentence, a fine or 40 lashes.If convicted, Mrs Gibbons could face a prison sentence, a fine or 40 lashes.
She was arrested on Sunday in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear in September.She was arrested on Sunday in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear in September.
Muhammad is a popular name in mainly-Muslim Sudan. Muhammad is a popular name in mainly-Muslim Sudan, and a boy in Mrs Gibbons class has said he suggested to the class the teddy bear be named after himself.
A boy in Mrs Gibbons class has said he suggested to the class the teddy bear be named after himself.
'Chaotic' scenes'Chaotic' scenes
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. When she arrived at the building on Thursday Mrs Gibbons 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 initially not granted access to her, but were later allowed into the courtroom.Embassy officials and her legal team were initially not granted access to her, but were later allowed into the courtroom.
What can't be named Muhammad?What can't be named Muhammad?
The hearing was expected to start at 2pm local time (1100 GMT), but with no reporters allowed to observe, it was difficult to confirm if it had started.The hearing was expected to start at 2pm local time (1100 GMT), but with no reporters allowed to observe, it was difficult to confirm if it had started.
Meanwhile, in London Foreign Secretary David Miliband is due to meet the Sudan ambassador to discuss the case.Meanwhile, in London Foreign Secretary David Miliband is due to meet the Sudan ambassador to discuss the case.
Before the meeting, he told reporters that he would express Britain's strong view that the incident was an innocent misunderstanding and hoped it would be resolved swiftly. Before the meeting, he told reporters that he would express Britain's strong view that the incident was an "innocent misunderstanding" and hoped it would be resolved swiftly.
He said Britain had respect for such sensitive issues, and hoped common sense would prevail while allowing the Sudanese legal system to proceed. "The Sudanese legal system has to take its course but common sense has to prevail.
He said the incident was a consular case which was distressing for Mrs Gibbons but was not political. "It's not about disrespect for Sudan, it's about being absolutely clear that this is an innocent misunderstanding."
BBC world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said the British government was treating the case as a consular issue and not a diplomatic incident, with Mr Miliband's approach being to avoid confrontation with Sudan.
Khalid al Mubarak, of the Sudanese embassy in London, said Mrs Gibbons had sufficient support.Khalid al Mubarak, of the Sudanese embassy in London, said Mrs Gibbons had sufficient support.
'Sensationalist' reporting'Sensationalist' reporting
"Like all legal systems the judge can decide to dismiss the whole thing or that the case goes on anyway."Like all legal systems the judge can decide to dismiss the whole thing or that the case goes on anyway.
"Mrs Gibbons has consular support, the British embassy has one of the best solicitors in the country whom I know personally."Mrs Gibbons has consular support, the British embassy has one of the best solicitors in the country whom I know personally.
"There is no worry on that front at all. She will be very well represented and well treated.""There is no worry on that front at all. She will be very well represented and well treated."
Even though the British government has expressed concern about the arrest, Mr al Mubarak dismissed any suggestion that diplomatic relations had become strained, instead saying there had been "sensationalist" reporting.Even though the British government has expressed concern about the arrest, Mr al Mubarak dismissed any suggestion that diplomatic relations had become strained, instead saying there had been "sensationalist" reporting.
"The general situation and relationship are very good now, with the exception of this minute and unexpected incident of Mrs Gibbons.""The general situation and relationship are very good now, with the exception of this minute and unexpected incident of Mrs Gibbons."
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.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.