Bahrain appeal court upholds activists' convictions

BBC News, 4 September 2012

Bahrain Protests 

• Meeting Bahrain's hunger striker
• Bahrain police 'still torturing'
• Profile: Abdulhadi al-Khawaja
• Country profile: Bahrain

Rights groups say no evidence was presented
 showing the activists had used or advocated
violence

An appeals court in Bahrain has upheld the convictions of 20 activists and opposition figures for allegedly plotting to overthrow the state.

The verdicts, originally issued by a military court following the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations last year, include eight life sentences.

Among those convicted was Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who went on a 110-day hunger strike in protest at his detention.

The defendants, seven of whom were tried in absentia, plan to appeal.

Human rights groups have demanded their release and said no evidence was presented by the authorities at the trial showing the activists had used or advocated violence during the protests against King Hamad.

At least 60 people are said to have been killed since protests erupted in February 2011, demanding more democracy and an end to discrimination against the majority Shia Muslim community by the Sunni royal family.

The king has tried to address some of the protesters' demands by announcing constitutional reforms intended to lead to accountability.

But the opposition, as well as human rights activists, say the promises are empty and that the crackdown on dissent is continuing.