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| Bahrain unrest: Eight Shia activists sentenced to life | Bahrain unrest: Eight Shia activists sentenced to life |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Bahrain has sentenced eight Shia opposition activists to life in jail for plotting to overthrow the government, says the state news agency. | Bahrain has sentenced eight Shia opposition activists to life in jail for plotting to overthrow the government, says the state news agency. |
| They were among 21 opposition figures tried by a special security court. Others got sentences of up to 15 years. | They were among 21 opposition figures tried by a special security court. Others got sentences of up to 15 years. |
| Ahead of the verdict, Shia protesters blocked roads and staged rallies. | Ahead of the verdict, Shia protesters blocked roads and staged rallies. |
| Bahrain's mainly Shia protesters have been calling for democratic reforms and more rights for the country's Shia majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom. | Bahrain's mainly Shia protesters have been calling for democratic reforms and more rights for the country's Shia majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom. |
| A wave of protests swept the country in February and March. Emergency law was only lifted on 1 June. | A wave of protests swept the country in February and March. Emergency law was only lifted on 1 June. |
| Correspondents say the sentencing threatens to re-ignite simmering tensions in the tiny Gulf state. | |
| 'Bahraini blogger' | |
| Among those who received life sentences are: | Among those who received life sentences are: |
| • Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, one of the country's leading human rights activists | • Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, one of the country's leading human rights activists |
| • Abd al-Jalil Singace, head of the Shia-dominated Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy | • Abd al-Jalil Singace, head of the Shia-dominated Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy |
| • Hassan Mushaima, who returned from self-imposed exile in the UK in February after the Bahraini government dropped charges against him in a bid to appease protesters | • Hassan Mushaima, who returned from self-imposed exile in the UK in February after the Bahraini government dropped charges against him in a bid to appease protesters |
| In addition to the life sentences, 10 activists were given 15 years in jail, two others were given five years and one man received a one-year jail term. | In addition to the life sentences, 10 activists were given 15 years in jail, two others were given five years and one man received a one-year jail term. |
| Ali Abdulemam - an outspoken government critic known as the "Bahraini blogger" was sentenced in absentia to 15 years. He went into hiding in March. | |
| Fourteen of the activists appeared in court, while the rest were sentenced in absentia, the state news agency BNA said. The activists have 15 days to appeal the court rulings, it added. | |
| Those not in court included Hassan Mushaima's son Ali, who is still in the UK. He was sentenced to 15 years. | Those not in court included Hassan Mushaima's son Ali, who is still in the UK. He was sentenced to 15 years. |
| 'Foreign influence' | |
| The authorities claim that those charged plotted to overthrow Bahrain's Sunni rulers "by force and intelligence with a terror group colluding with a foreign country" - in an apparent reference to Iran. | |
| The government and its supporters have accused Iran and the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah of helping to stir up the unrest, in which nearly 30 people - mostly unarmed protesters - have been killed. | The government and its supporters have accused Iran and the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah of helping to stir up the unrest, in which nearly 30 people - mostly unarmed protesters - have been killed. |
| Ahead of the trial, witnesses told AP news agency that Shia demonstrators made roadblocks with sand and debris, and called for marches to oppose the trial. No violence was reported. | Ahead of the trial, witnesses told AP news agency that Shia demonstrators made roadblocks with sand and debris, and called for marches to oppose the trial. No violence was reported. |
| The trial was one of several taking place in Bahrain following the protests. | The trial was one of several taking place in Bahrain following the protests. |
| Human rights groups say they have documented cases of torture and arbitrary detention by the authorities against members of the protest movement. | Human rights groups say they have documented cases of torture and arbitrary detention by the authorities against members of the protest movement. |
| Are you in Bahrain? What is your reaction to this decision? Did you join the demonstration? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in Bahrain? What is your reaction to this decision? Did you join the demonstration? Send us your comments using the form below: |