"Bahrain convicts 21 activists of conspiracy; Human-rights activists call trial political action" by David Jolly and Lara El Gibaly, New York Times / June 23, 2011
CAIRO — A special military court in Bahrain convicted 21 mostly Shi’ite activists yesterday on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government during street demonstrations this year, sentencing eight to life in prison and the others to terms of up to 15 years.
Ibrahim Sharif, a secular Muslim who was the only Sunni among the defendants, received a relatively short sentence of five years.
The monarchy has accused the men of conspiring with the Shi’ite government of its increasingly powerful neighbor, Iran....
In the courtroom in Manama, the capital, the defendants pumped fists in the air and shouted “peacefully,’’ a mantra from the protests, as guards dragged them away, according to witnesses who gave their accounts to Reuters....
After the sentencing, police fired tear gas to stop marchers in Manama from reaching a central section of the city, Pearl Square, in one of the first demonstrations in months, the Associated Press reported, citing witnesses....
The situation remains tense, with security checkpoints and a heavy police presence around the country.
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