Once again pro-democracy protesters took to streets across Bahrain after a military court issued more prison sentences against more activists.
Once again pro-democracy protesters took to streets across Bahrain after a military court issued more prison sentences against more activists.
The protesters denounced late on Wednesday the harsh sentences against anti-regime activists and medics.
Rallies took place overnight in several villages, including Sitra, Hamala and Barbar.
The rallies came after a military court sentenced on Wednesday 19 more activists to jail terms for taking part in protests.
The sentences ranged from a 12-month prison sentence to five years in jail for allegedly trying to burn down a police station in the capital during anti-regime protests.
The activists were also charged with participating in public gatherings "with intent to commit crimes and breach security".
HARSH SENTENCES
Over the past few days, the National Safety Court, which has a mixed military and civil panel, has sentenced more than 100 opposition activists and medics to jail for various convictions over the massive anti-government protests in the country.
On Monday, the court sentenced 36 opposition activists, among them university students, to jail terms ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment for participating in anti-government protests.
The verdicts came days after the same military court sentenced 20 medics to jail terms of between five to 15 years for treating injured anti-government protesters.
The harsh sentences have drawn international criticism. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed ''deep concern'' over the sentences and called for the release of all political detainees in Bahrain.
The United Nations human rights office has also said that the trials failed to meet international standards of transparency as the arrested suspects were allowed limited access to lawyers for legal advice. Moreover, many of the detainees were forced to sign confessions either under brutal torture or under the threat of such measures.
Since mid-February, thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling on the US-backed Al Khalifa royal family to step down.
