Bahrain opposition slams life sentences

Friday, 24 June 2011 11:16

The largest party and opposition bloc in Bahrain has condemned Manama's heavy-handed issuance of life sentences for eight opposition leaders in the Persian Gulf sheikdom. According to the Shiite News monitoring desk, the Islamic National Accord Association (Al-Wefaq) said it has "received these sentences with shock, especially as they contradict the call for national dialogue" proposed by Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The sentences were issued by the National Safety Court on Wednesday for the oppositionists' "plotting to overthrow" the Saudi-backed regime. The Bahraini government also sentenced 13 other activists for up to 15 years in prison on a similar charge. Manama said that the "sentencing sends a message that law and order will be preserved." Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty's more than 40 years of rule over the Persian Gulf sheikdom. In March, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates deployed police and military forces upon Manama's request to help crush the nationwide protests in Bahrain. Scores of people have been killed and hundreds, including doctors and journalists, have been arrested during the Saudi-backed crackdown. Meanwhile, new pictures have emerged showing the regime's continued use of violence against opposition protesters. The pictures posted on the YouTube show regime forces firing at a group of Bahraini youths and arresting a young boy.