AI: Bahrain Must Not Allow Execution of Protesters

Local Editor

Amnesty International urged the Bahraini authorities to halt the execution of four protesters sentenced to death by a military court over the killing of two police officers in anti-government demonstrations last month.

"The Bahraini authorities have a responsibility to bring to justice those who commit violent crimes. But when doing so, they must uphold the right to fair trial and they must not use the death penalty under any circumstances," the statement said.

"In this case, the accused were tried before a special military court, although they are civilians. It also appears that the trial was conducted behind closed doors. As well, those sentenced have no right of appeal except to another special military court, raising great fears about the fairness of the entire process."

The statement also said that "More than 500 people, of whom most are Shiites were arrested during the past few weeks in Bahrain, assuring that some of those were subject to torture and mistreatment after the arrest."

Local media reports more than 400 other cases have been referred to the military courts.