Bahrain Sentences Four Protesters to Death for Roles in Anti-Government Demonstrations

Bahrain's state media announced yesterday that a military court sentenced four protesters to death and three others to life in prison for their roles in the killing of two policemen during anti-government demonstrations last month. The sentenced protesters were convicted of premeditated murder, with the military prosecutor presenting evidence that showed they had intentionally run over the policemen with a car. The trial was conducted in secrecy, with only selected state-aligned media representatives and family members of the defendants in attendance. The verdicts were met with criticism from Bahrain's human rights groups, who blasted the trial as lacking legal credibility and being politically motivated.

Key Takeaways:

• Four protesters were sentenced to death by a military court in Bahrain for their roles in the killing of two policemen during anti-government demonstrations last month.
• Three other activists were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the policemen's deaths.
• The trial was conducted in secrecy, with only selected state-aligned media representatives and family members of the defendants in attendance.
• Bahrain's human rights groups have blasted the trial as lacking legal credibility and being politically motivated.
• The verdicts come after a month of protests and demonstrations against the ruling elite, with at least 29 people killed.
• One of the prior cases of issuing a death sentence in Bahrain came in the mid-1990s, during the greatest unrest the country had seen before this year.
• At least three of the policemen who were killed were run over by cars around March 16, according to the government.
• The government has released 312 people detained under martial law and referred about 400 others for prosecution.

Statistics:

• 4 protesters sentenced to death
• 3 activists sentenced to life in prison
• 29 people killed in protests and demonstrations
• 312 people released from detention under martial law
• 400 people referred for prosecution
• 2 foreigners killed, including an Indian and a Bangladeshi
• 4 policemen killed, including 3 run over by cars

Sources:

• State media in Bahrain
• Bahrain Center for Human Rights
• Amnesty International
• Associated Press
• Reuters
• Agence France-Presse