Six medical workers risk execution by firing squad in Libya on charges of deliberately infecting more than 400 children with HIV. Lawyers defending them have called for the scientific community’s support. They want international pressure put on Libya to order an independent scientific review of how the children became infected, in a bid to prove the medics’ innocence.

Nature has an Editorial and news article on the issue. The blogosphere has since amplified the lawyers’ initial call — see, for example, here, here and here. Bloggers are also starting to organize a broader information and action campaign around the case. Nature will continue to follow developments, so check back here for updates and reader comments.