President Rumen Radev Friday awarded the Honorary Presidential Medal to Anthony Layden, British ambassador to Libya from 2002 to 2006. “The story of the rescue of the Bulgarian medics arrested in Libya will remain forever engraved in the annals of Bulgaria’s modern statehood,” said Radev.
The award was presented for Layden’s exceptional services to Bulgaria, demonstrated through his personal commitment and professional contribution to the release of the Bulgarian nurses, the strengthening of friendly relations between Bulgaria and the United Kingdom, and the promotion of humanitarian and European values in international relations, the President’s press secretariat said.
“More than two decades ago, Bulgaria experienced one of its most difficult national trials – the case against our medics in Libya. For years, six innocent Bulgarian citizens were deprived of their liberty on unjust charges. Their fate became a symbol of human suffering, but also of the unshakable belief that good and justice will prevail,” said Radev. In his words, during those years, the Bulgarian people showed enviable unity, solidarity, and faith in justice. This unprecedented case became a test not only for Bulgaria, but also for the moral strength of the international community, he added.
“During this difficult period for us, Bulgaria was supported by true friends. Through people like Anthony Layden, Europe clearly demonstrated that European solidarity is not just a slogan, but is filled with deep meaning, interaction, mutual trust, and support in the name of human dignity. Ambassador Layden’s mandate in Libya went far beyond the scope of his official duties. He became a true humanitarian cause, defending human life and justice. During those difficult, long years, when the fate of our compatriots seemed doomed, Ambassador Layden showed patience, courage, and genuine human compassion,” the President added.
The head of State pointed out that as a diplomat and a person, Ambassador Layden showed that sometimes words, compassion, and dialogue can be stronger than political declarations.
With his professionalism, personal authority, and moral fortitude, he became a true bridge between two different cultures and value systems, between suffering and hope, Radev went on to say. “His wife, Josephine Layden, was always by his side. With her moral support and high level of erudition in communicating with the Libyan public, she contributed to building trust and, no less importantly, to resolving this humanitarian case,” Radev noted.
“This medal is more than a symbol. It is a sign of recognition and respect for a man who showed that true diplomacy can be not only the art of words, but above all the art of humanity,” Radev added.
Among those attending the ceremony were the Director of the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanya Mihaylova, British Ambassador to Bulgaria Nathaniel Copsey, former minister of foreign affairs Solomon Passy, and journalist Georgi Milkov.
The Bulgarian medics were arrested in Benghazi on February 9, 1999, and spent a total of 2,755 days in Libyan prisons. Nurses Nassya Nenova, Valentina Siropoulo, Valya Chervenyashka, Shezhana Dimitrova and Kristiyana Vulcheva, and Palestinian Dr Ashraf al Hadjudj, who later obtained a Bulgarian citizenship, were sentenced to death on charges of intentionally infecting 393 children with AIDS, and with behaviour contradicting Libya’s laws and traditions. Following a massive EU-brokered diplomatic effort, the death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. On July 24, 2007, the Bulgarian medics were released from Judaida Prison in Tripoli and left for Sofia. Back in Bulgaria, the six were pardoned by the Bulgarian President. President Presents Former British Ambassador to Libya Anthony Layden with Honorary Medal THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-11-07 16:51:14 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
