Rights activists say a Bahrain security court hears appeals on behalf of two prominent opposition figures who are on hunger strike and 19 other activists sentenced in the crackdown on anti-government protests A Bahrain security court on Tuesday heard appeals on behalf two prominent opposition figures who are on hunger strike and 19 other activists sentenced in the crackdown on anti-government protests, rights activists said. Nabeel Rajab, the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said the hearing took place before the special security court with military prosecutors and civilian and military judges set up after the Gulf kingdom's Sunni rulers imposed martial law to deal with a wave of Shiite-led protests for greater rights. Of the 21 activists, the court in June sentenced eight prominent opposition figures to life imprisonment while 13 others received shorter prison terms. Seven activists were sentenced in absentia. The sentences were among the most severe punishments against the demonstrations for greater rights by the Gulf kingdom's Shiite majority. Anti-government protests in the tiny, Sunni-ruled island nation started in February, inspired by other Arab uprisings. Jalila al-Sayed, a Bahraini lawyer for one of the defendants said the court adjourned until Sept. 28. She did not elaborate on the proceedings further except saying that 14 defendants attended Tuesday's hearing. Among the eight defendants who received life sentences are Bahrain's Shiite leaders Hassan Mushaima and Abdul Jalil al-Singace. The two are said to have joined a hunger strike last week in support of jailed doctors who treated injured protesters and who face charges of trying to overthrow Bahrain's 200-year-old monarchy. Shiites account for 70 percent of Bahrain's population of some 525,000, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being barred from top government and political posts. More than 30 people died during months of demonstrations and harsh crackdowns in Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Dozens of protesters, human rights activists and Shiite professional like doctors and lawyers have been tried in the special tribunal. Two protesters were sentenced to death. Bahrain lifted emergency rule in June. The king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ordered all protest-related cases moved to civilian courts. In August, the monarch issued another decree that reversed the decision. It was not clear how many defendants will remain with the security court. Bahrain's use of the security court has been strongly criticized by rights groups. Souhayr Belhassen, the president of the International Federation for Human Rights said the reversal to the special court is a "great concern" for the Paris-based group. "Trying civilians before a military and special courts doesn't comply with international standards," Belhassen said in a statement Tuesday.
