Bahraini Court Gives Death Sentence to 2 Activists
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A court in Bahrain sentenced a number of political activists to death and jail terms over trumped-up charges as heavy-handed crackdown on peaceful protests continue in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom, Bahraini media reported.
The court issued death sentences against Hussein Ali Mahdi and Sayyed Ahmed Fuad.
It also gave jail terms ranging from three years to life in prison to 6 other activists.
The verdicts come as protests against the ruling Al Khalifa regime have intensified in recent weeks since regime forces raided the home of Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of the country’s Shiite majority.
On May 23, Bahraini regime forces stormed into the residence of Sheikh Qassim in the village of Diraz, arresting everyone inside the house.
Reports suggest that the Bahraini top cleric is now under house arrest.
At least five people were reportedly killed in the raid, and over 280 others were arrested.
The raid came a few days after a Bahraini court sentenced Sheikh Qassim to one year in prison. Based on the verdict, the cleric’s properties worth three million Bahraini dinars (near $8 million) were also confiscated. Moreover, Sheikh Qassim was sentenced to pay a fine of 100,000 Bahraini dinars (about $265,000).
Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with security forces resorting to harsh measures against demonstrators.
Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful protests.
