Bahraini Regime Retries Convicted Doctors, Athletes
As the military crackdown against the Bahraini people, the regime on another hand decided to retry 20 medical doctors who treated protesters during last year's uprising.
This decision comes despite earlier regime promises that it would spare 15 of the indictees after a military tribunal sentenced them earlier to up to 15 years in prison.
On this level, the prosecution of doctors drew international criticism, in addition to right groups' campaigns highlighting the unjust sentences, saying that the medics were punished for doing "their ethical duty", and helping civilians wounded by the regime forces during peaceful protests. Also, the Bahraini regime was criticized for using military courts to punish civilians, and therefore the retrials now will be held in a civil court.
Last week, Bahrain's Information Affairs Authority indicated that the regime would pursue criminal charges against only five medics, while the other cases would be transferred to a professional tribunal.
On another hand, not only are the doctors victims of the arbitrary arrests, but so are Bahraini athletes who had announced their pro-democracy stance with the peaceful demonstrations.
The Bahraini court extended the imprisonment of both Handball player Ahmad Abbass, and Football player Faysal Ali Hussein. The amended sentence ruled 45 additional detention days, claiming that the athletic figures took part in the peaceful protests staged in Bahrain.
According to "al-Wasat" website, the defense jury called upon the court to release the detained athletes under any guarantee considered by the court.
The defense jury indicated that both athletes are Bahrainis, and have a known location and residence; therefore they vow to attend the hearing when summoned. Also, medical reports asserted to the court that player Ahmad Abbass is severely wounded and requires immediate treatment.
Source: News Agencies, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
Comments
- Related News
France’s Hollande in Qatar for Warplane Deal
10 years ago
Iraq Police Dismantles Al-Qaeda Protest Site
11 years ago