Bahrain Court Jails Nine over 'Terrorist' Cell
A Bahraini court sentenced nine Shiites to jail terms ranging between 10 and 15 years on Monday after convicting them of forming a "terrorist" group, a judicial source said.
Cleric Ahmed al-Majed and a second defendant were jailed for 15 years, while a third defendant was sentenced to 10 years.
The three were the only defendants to appear in court, as the other six remain at large and were sentenced in absentia to 10 years, the source said.
The first two were convicted of "forming an illegal group that aimed to jeopardize the rule of law and obstruct state institutions from performing their duties... through using terrorism," the source said, quoting the list of charges.
The other seven defendants were accused of joining the group despite knowing of its "terrorist objectives".
All defendants were convicted for "possessing explosives", the source added.
Scores of Shiites have faced jail terms over accusations of involvement in violence since protests against the regime of the ruling Al-Khalifa Sunni dynasty erupted in February 2011.
Despite a heavy-handed crackdown by security forces in mid-March 2011, supported by Saudi-led Gulf troops, protesters were shortly back on the streets, mainly in Shiite villages, where they frequently clash with police.
At least 80 people have been killed in Bahrain since February 2011, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.
Strategically located just across the Gulf from Iran, Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and is also a major offshore financial and services center for its Arab neighbors in the oil-rich Gulf.
Meanwhile, thousands of people rallied in the Shiite village of Nuwaidrat, south of Manama, to welcome an imprisoned opposition leader who was released briefly for his mother's funeral, witnesses said.
Supporters filled the streets on Monday to welcome Abdulwahab Hussein, the head of the Shiite Wafa Islamic Movement.
Hussein was to return to prison later, Al-Wefaq, the Shiite main opposition group, said on its website.
He is serving a life sentence with six other opposition leaders and activists after being convicted of plotting to overthrow the monarchy.
They are part of group of 21 sentenced to jail terms ranging from five years to life over their roles in the nationwide protests.
Seven were sentenced in absentia.
Source: Agence France Presse
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