Bahraini king Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa ratified Monday new constitutional amendments to give military courts in the Gulf kingdom powers to try civilians. The amendments of Article 105 of the constitution will entitle courts-martial to try civilians accused of disturbing the country's public peace. In the past, such courts were confined to trying members of the Armed Forces and the security apparatus. They were allowed to try civilians only under a state of emergency. In early March, the country's upper House, known as the Consultative Council, unanimously approved the amendments after they had been approved in February by the King-appointed Lower House. Opposition parties strongly denounced the move, accusing the Sunni-dominated government of restricting human rights. Amnesty International also criticized the amendments in a strong-worded statement. But pro-government analysts said the move would protect security in the country that is "threatened by Iran-backed militias". Bahraini officials have repeatedly accused Tehran of fueling protests in Bahrain and spreading chaos through sponsoring Shiite militants. In mid-March, Bahrain's Shiite militia, Sarayya al-Ashtar, was enlisted by the US administration as a terrorist organization. The Bahraini government hailed the measure as a blow to Tehran. Bahrain has seen domestic violence since 2011 when opposition activists, mostly Shiites, called for political change. Saudi forces entered the neighboring kingdom to reign in the protests. Al-Wefak Shiite Movement was accused of staging the protests with the support of Iran. In July 2016, the government ordered to dissolve the Movement over accusations of "providing an environment incubating terrorism and violence". The movement chairman, Ali Salman was arrested and delivered a nine-year sentence. However, a Manama court reduced the ruling on Monday to only four years.
