As US “ponders weapons sales” the abuses continue

Bahrain sentences 20 protesters to jail
20/10/2011 – VOB

A Bahraini military court has given six-month jail terms to 20 more people arrested during anti-regime protests in the tiny Persian Gulf country.

Thursday’s verdicts came as the court issued more than 130 convictions related to anti-government demonstrations against the ruling monarchy. The harsh sentences have drawn international criticism. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed “deep concern” over the sentences and called for the release of all political detainees in Bahrain. The Saudi-backed Al Khalifa regime of Bahrain has been dealing with protesters harshly since the popular uprising began in the Persian Gulf sheikhdom in mid-February. Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds of others, including physicians and academics, have been jailed. Some of them say they were tortured while in custody. International lawyers have filed suit against the Bahraini regime at the International Criminal Court at The Hague. …source