THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bahrain has ordered the retrial of 20 doctors and nurses whose convictions for allegedly backing pro-democracy protests provoked an international outcry.
A statement by the kingdom's attorney general Ali al-Boainain on Wednesday appeared to nullify the sentences of five to 15 years issued last week by a special security court. Sending them for trial in a civilian court, it said: "No doctors or other medical personnel may be punished by reason of the fulfilment of their humanitarian duties or their political views."
The move raises the possibility that the medics will be spared any jail time. They had been found guilty of "inciting hatred for the regime" and hoarding weapons at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Manama as they treated those injured in demonstrations in March as the Arab spring swept the region.
"The accused will have the benefit of full re-evaluation of evidence and full opportunity to present their defences," said the attorney general's statement.
"The department of public prosecution seeks to establish the truth and to enforce the law, while protecting the rights of the accused." » | Alex Spillius | Wednesday, October 05, 2011
