Bahrain overturns death sentences for two protesters

Life-imprisonment for three other protesters convicted of murdering two policemen during a wave of anti-government demonstrations last year is also overturned in a civilian court.

MANAMA // A civilian court in Bahrain overturned death sentences yesterday for two protesters and life-imprisonment for three others convicted of murdering two policemen during a wave of anti-government demonstrations last year.

Their sentences had been handed down by a special security court set up under a period of emergency law last year as Bahrain's Sunni rulers sought to silence a Shiite-led campaign for greater civil and political rights. International rights groups had criticised Bahrain for trying protesters, opposition leaders and activists in the military-linked tribunal, which was later abolished.

By moving their case and others to civilian courts, the government appeared to be following through on at least some of the recommendations from a panel of international investigators who accused Bahrain of rights abuses during the crackdown, including denying fair trials to protesters.

Two other high-profile cases were back in court yesterday, including the retrial of doctors and other medical professionals who treated protesters injured in the crackdown.

In another case, five members of an alleged terror cell that Bahrain accused of having links to Iran and plotting attacks against the Gulf kingdom were arraigned. They denied charges of working with a foreign country to overthrow the ruling dynasty.

The Shiite-led protest movement was ignited last February by the uprisings sweeping the Arab world. At least 40 people have died.

Bahrain's Sunni monarchy got help from Saudi Arabia in cracking down on the movement. Both nations fear that regional rival and Shiite power Iran is aiding the unrest.

Bahrain is a critical US ally and is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet. Washington has taken a cautious line with authorities, urging Bahrain's leaders to open more dialogue with the opposition but avoiding too much public pressure.

The decision to overturn the two death sentences yesterday was made by the Cassation Court, said Hassan Radhi, a lawyer for one of the defendants. The decision moves their case to the supreme court for an appeal.

In the earlier case against medical workers, more than 20 doctors and nurses had been convicted of participating in efforts to overthrow the ruling Al Khalifa family in the special security tribunal. They received prison sentences of five to 15 years.

The court set another hearing in their case for March 9.