Doctors on Trial, Shiite Professionals Dismissed from Employment

Bahrain: Doctors on Trial, Shiite Professionals Dismissed

Today, 23 doctors and 24 nurses who treated injured anti-government protesters at the state-run Salmaniya Medical Complex in Manama during previous months of unrest were charged with attempting to overthrow the monarchy, participating in illegal rallies, denying medical treatment to Sunni patients, and spreading false news that harmed the public. According to a government official, the medics ”cooperated with those protesters to hold political and religious rallies within the hospital grounds and provided misinformation to media outlets.” Their arraignment was in a closed-door hearing of a special security court comprised of military prosecutors and military and civilian judges, and authorized under emergency rule, which was lifted last week. The 47 accused have been detained since March. Authorities have placed a gag order on proceedings against opposition supporters, allowing a few select journalists to cover the trials. An additional hearing is scheduled for June 13.

The government has also dismissed hundreds of state employees and professionals accused of participating in anti-government rallies. Activists claim that the majority of those dismissed have been targeted for being Shiite. …source