Bahrain Upholds Verdict for Ex-lawmaker
Bahrain’s appeals court has upheld a verdict against former opposition lawmaker Jawad Fayruz for leading protests against the ruling Al Khalifa regime in 2011.
Fayruz, a prominent member of the major Bahraini opposition group, al-Wefaq, was sentenced to 15 months in prison over his participation in ‘unauthorized’ protests, which began in February 2011, his lawyers said.
The former Bahraini lawmaker was also charged with organizing and calling for protests without informing the government officials, but he was acquitted of inciting hatred against the regime.
The Manama regime revoked the citizenship of Fayruz and 30 other activists in November 2012 over charges of “jeopardizing state security.”
Al-Wefaq, which was in possession of 18 out of 40 seats in Bahrain’s parliament, walked out in protest against the regime’s clampdown on protests in February 2011.
Last week, Bahrain’s highest court also upheld sentences handed down to 13 prominent political activists for organizing anti-regime demonstrations.
Among the tried activists, prominent human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and opposition leader Hassan Mushaima were given life sentences. The court ruling sparked massive protests in the capital and several villages nearby. The protesters called for the release of all jailed activists and demanded that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa step down.
The Bahraini uprising began in February 2011. The regime promptly launched a brutal crackdown on the protests and called in Saudi forces from neighboring Persian Gulf states to help quell the demonstrations.
Bahraini protesters say they will continue holding demonstrations until their demands for the establishment of a democratically elected government and an end to violations of rights are met.
Source: Press TV
The former Bahraini lawmaker was also charged with organizing and calling for protests without informing the government officials, but he was acquitted of inciting hatred against the regime.
The Manama regime revoked the citizenship of Fayruz and 30 other activists in November 2012 over charges of “jeopardizing state security.”
Al-Wefaq, which was in possession of 18 out of 40 seats in Bahrain’s parliament, walked out in protest against the regime’s clampdown on protests in February 2011.
Last week, Bahrain’s highest court also upheld sentences handed down to 13 prominent political activists for organizing anti-regime demonstrations.
Among the tried activists, prominent human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and opposition leader Hassan Mushaima were given life sentences. The court ruling sparked massive protests in the capital and several villages nearby. The protesters called for the release of all jailed activists and demanded that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa step down.
The Bahraini uprising began in February 2011. The regime promptly launched a brutal crackdown on the protests and called in Saudi forces from neighboring Persian Gulf states to help quell the demonstrations.
Bahraini protesters say they will continue holding demonstrations until their demands for the establishment of a democratically elected government and an end to violations of rights are met.
Source: Press TV
