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U.S. 'Troubled' As Bahrain Upholds Activists' Sentences

September 05, 2012

The United States says it is "deeply troubled" after a Bahrain appeals court upheld jail terms against 13 opposition activists on charges of plotting to overthrow the Gulf monarchy.

On September 4, a court in Bahrain upheld jail sentences ranging from five years to life for the 13 activists involved in Shi’ite-led protests against the ruling Sunni royal family.

U.S. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell urged Bahrain "to abide by its commitment to respect detainees' right to due process and to transparent judicial proceedings, including fair trials and access to attorneys."

The London-based Amnesty International called for the defendants to be quickly released and said the verdicts were "outrageous."

Bahrain's main opposition party said the verdicts represent "political persecution, fake justice, and a black day for Bahrain."

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/bahrain-activists-sentences/24698299.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.