Bahrain court gives life sentence to nearly dozen dissidents

A court in Bahrain has sentenced ten protesters to life imprisonment and revoked their citizenship as the ruling regime presses ahead with its heavy-handed clampdown on political dissidents and pro-democracy campaigners in the Gulf kingdom.

A court in Bahrain has sentenced ten protesters to life imprisonment and revoked their citizenship as the ruling regime presses ahead with its heavy-handed clampdown on political dissidents and pro-democracy campaigners in the Gulf kingdom.

On Tuesday, the High Criminal Court found the defendants guilty of “organizing and managing a terrorist group, possessing explosives and tools used in making firearms, and training in the use of weapons and explosives for terrorist purposes in the kingdom.” 

An unofficial source said that the protesters were convicted based on confessions gained through torture.

The court also additionally sentenced one of the convicts to one month in jail, and a fine of 100 dinars ($265.10) for illegally possessing a sword. 

Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis ever since a popular uprising began in the country in mid-February 2011.