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    September 28, 2011

Bahrain Upholds Life Sentences for Opposition Activists

   VOA News
   Bahraini man passes wall bearing depictions of jailed Bahraini
   opposition figures Ebrahim Sharif (L), with word "steadfast" sprayed in
   red, and Sheik Mohamed Habib Moqdad (R), with words "We will never
   forget you," in Malkiya, Bahrain, Sept. 28, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   A Bahraini man passes a wall bearing depictions of jailed Bahraini
   opposition figures Ebrahim Sharif (L), with the word "steadfast"
   sprayed in red, and Sheik Mohamed Habib Moqdad (R), with the words "We
   will never forget you" and above graffiti reading "God, your mercy to
   our martyrs," in the western Shiite Muslim village of Malkiya, Bahrain,
   September 28, 2011.

   A special court in Bahrain has upheld life sentences for eight Shi'ite
   opposition activists convicted of plotting to overthrow the minority
   Sunni-led government during anti-government protests earlier this year.
   The state-run Bahrain News Agency said the court confirmed the
   sentences Wednesday, along with those of 13 other activists, who
   received prison sentences ranging from two years to 15 years on similar
   charges of sedition.
   Amnesty International criticized the court's decision, saying it showed
   the "inherent unfairness" of Bahrain's trial process. The rights group
   said the decision shows that Bahrain has "no intention of meeting
   international fair trial standards" for those perceived as political
   opponents.
   All of the defendants can appeal their sentence to a higher court.
   Bahrain received help from some of its Gulf Arab neighbors to quell the
   anti-government protests that began in February. About 40 people were
   killed during clashes between security forces and protesters. More than
   1,000 people were detained.
   The government has defended the crackdown, saying it was needed to
   reinstate stability.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
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References

   1. http://twitter.com/VOAMiddleEast
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