Sudan: Teddy row teacher to be released

(SomaliNet) UK teacher Gillian Gibbons is to be released from prison in Sudan after she was jailed for allowing children in her class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Mrs Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, was jailed for 15 days on 29 November.

Sudan\'s President Omar al-Bashir pardoned her after a meeting with two British Muslim peers. In a statement, Mrs Gibbons said: \"I am sorry if I caused any distress\". UK prime minister Gordon Brown said he was \"delighted and relieved\" at the news.

Mrs Gibbons is expected to be released into the care of the British embassy in Khartoum later on Monday and flown back to the UK.

Mrs Gibbons was jailed after allowing her pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad. She was arrested after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education.

In a statement read out by Baroness Warsi, Mrs Gibbons said: \"I have great respect for the Islamic religion and would not knowingly offend anyone and I am sorry if I caused any distress.

\"I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends but I am very sorry that I will be unable to return to Sudan and work in Unity High School as the teacher of 2X.\"

Lord Ahmed thanked the president for granting the pardon and said both he and Baroness Warsi were proud to have been able to help Mrs Gibbons.

\"This is a case which is unfortunate, unintentional, innocent misunderstanding, and as British Muslim Parliamentarians we, Baroness Warsi and myself, we feel proud that we\'ve been able to secure Gillian Gibbon\'s release.\" --BBC News