Two of the youths were sentenced to 15 years in prison, five were given 10 years and four others were handed 5 years in prison while a young protester got 3 years of imprisonment.
All young men were charged with cases related to the political crisis that has started about 3 years ago, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, the country’s main opposition group, said on its official website.
In reaction, Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society described the sentences as “vengeful and oppressive” and said that they are used as a punishment against dissidents.
“The (Bahraini) judiciary’s series of harsh sentences will only further complicate the situation and deepen the crisis," al-Wefaq stated, adding, “It is the time that the international community realizes that the Bahraini regime is not willing to abandon its repressive policy.”
“The ongoing arrests, killings, terrorism, and tightening on freedom of expression all reveal the true image of the regime. The international community is called up on to take a practical stance instead of just expressing concern.”
The lengthy sentences come in conjunction with acquittals of police officers and troops who killed protesters in the brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests in 14 February 2011.
Many prisoners continue to complain of torture and assault during arrest and interrogation to coerce them into confessing to fake accusations. Bahrain was condemned by 47 states in the UN Human Rights Council for its appalling human rights situation.