Bahrainis hold anti-regime demos in Diraz, Sanabis

Bahraini protesters have once again held demonstrations to condemn prison sentences handed down to a group of prominent activists.

On Thursday, outraged demonstrators took to the streets in the northwestern village of Diraz and the northern village of Sanabis, about 5.5 kilometers (3.5 miles) west of the capital, Manama.

Reports say Bahraini regime forces fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, who were chanting slogans against the Al Khalifa regime.

On January 7, Bahrain’s highest court upheld sentences handed down to 13 prominent political activists for organizing demonstrations against Al Khalifa.

The court’s verdict sparked protests in several towns, where demonstrators set tires on fire and blocked main roads.

A military court originally handed down the sentences in 2011. The rulings, which range from five years in prison to life sentences, were upheld by a civilian court in September 2012.

Those given life sentences include imprisoned human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and opposition leader Hassan Mushaima.

Amnesty International has described the decision unjust and called for the release of the 13 people who have been imprisoned “simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.”

The Bahraini uprising began in February 2011. The Manama regime promptly launched a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests, calling in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.

Bahraini protesters say they will continue holding anti-regime demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically elected government is met.