Britain said on Thursday that a teacher charged with insulting Islam had made an innocent mistake and urged "common sense" to prevail as it called in the Sudanese ambassador. Foreign Secretary David Miliband made the comments as Gillian Gibbons appeared in court in Khartoum.
"The Sudanese legal system has to take its course but common sense has to prevail," Miliband told reporters ahead of his meeting with the Sudanese diplomat, which lasted about 45 minutes. "It's not about disrespect for Sudan, it's about being absolutely clear that this is an innocent misunderstanding."
The ambassador made no comment to waiting reporters before or after the talks, to which he was driven in a blacked-out embassy car. His spokesman earlier said it was "unlikely" that Gibbons would be convicted.
Fifty-four year-old mother of two Gibbons appeared in court in Khartoum Thursday, a day after being charged with insulting Islam and inciting religious hatred in a case that is pitting Sudan against its former colonial ruler.
The charges against mother of two carry a maximum sentence of 40 lashes, six months in prison and a fine. Sudanese officials say a judge will determine the severity of the sentence.