Bahrain begins second trial of doctors and nurses accused in protests

Bahrain begins second trial of doctors and nurses accused in protests
By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, June 27, 1:54 PM

MANAMA, Bahrain — The mass trial of 28 Bahraini health professionals who treated injured anti-government protesters campaigning for greater freedoms in the Gulf kingdom resumed on Monday in a special security court.

The prosecution of 28 doctors and nurses, who were charged with participating in efforts to topple Bahrain’s monarchy, signals that the kingdom’s Sunni rulers do not intend to end their relentless pursuit of the Shiite-led opposition despite appeals for dialogue.

The outreach by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has met a cool reception from Shiite leaders who demand that authorities roll back security measures and halt the trials against activists.

Reports of abuse of Bahrain’s leading human rights activist, who’s been in custody since April, have further eroded the opposition’s appetite for reconciliation talks, set to begin Friday.

The activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, was convicted last week by a special security tribunal of supporting anti-government protesters and sentenced to life in prison along with seven opposition leaders.

Nabeel Rajab, an activist, said that al-Khawajah was severely beaten in prison after the court session and was taken to a military hospital for treatment. Authorities denied al-Khawajah has been hospitalized and said in a statement to The Associated Press late Monday that the activist remains in custody and is “in stable health.” …more