Bahrain court upholds sentences on uprising leaders

By: Andrew Hammond, Reuters, September 4, 2012 A Bahraini civilian court on Tuesday upheld sentences of up to life in prison against leaders of last year's pro-democracy uprising, a decision that could dim prospects for defusing unrest in the small Gulf Arab state. Amnesty International described the ruling as outrageous. The verdicts, include eight life sentences, with some of the men accused of being in "intelligence contact" with Iran and Hezbollah. The 20 men are viewed by some Bahrainis as popular heroes whose release could reinvigorate the protest movement, which demands parliamentary powers to legislate and form governments.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/04/us-bah...

Middle East and North Africa activist arrest Arab spring political prisoner Bahrain