WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States
Wednesday expressed concern about the severity of the sentences
given to opposition leaders in Bahrain related to protests in
the Gulf state.
Bahrain sentenced eight prominent Shi'ite Muslim activists
and opposition leaders to life in prison on charges of plotting
a coup during protests earlier this year.
"We are concerned about the severity of the sentences
handed down," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
"We're also concerned about the use of military courts to try
these civilians."
Demonstrators have mounted scattered daily protests in the
Gulf island kingdom since emergency law was lifted on June 1.
As the cases go through an appeals process, "we continue to
urge the Bahraini government to abide by its commitment to
transparent judicial proceedings conducted in full accordance
with Bahrain's international legal obligations," Toner said.
(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Eric Walsh)
© 2023 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.