(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Human Rights Watch called Monday on Bahraini authorities to put off military court death sentences and life imprisonment of Shia over the alleged killing of two security men.
"Bahraini authorities should set aside a military court ruling on April 28, 2011, sentencing four defendants to death and three others to life in prison for their alleged involvement in the murder of two police officers," HRW said.
It said that the trial of the seven defendants, aged between 19 and 24, lasted less than two weeks, while they were the first civilians to be convicted in special military courts set after the crackdown in March on Shia-led protests demanding democratic reforms.
"By establishing these special courts, the government of Bahrain is making it near impossible for defendants to enjoy the rights to which they are entitled," said Joe Stork, HRW deputy Middle East director.
"The role of the military prosecutor, the makeup of the special court, and the meager access to legal representation undermine the most basic due process protections," he added.
According to authorities, four police were killed in March after being struck by unknown cars.
Amnesty International last week urged Bahrain to block the executions.
"Those sentenced have no right of appeal except to another special military court, raising great fears about the fairness of the entire process," AI said.
Authorities charged the defendants with premeditated murder under Bahrain’s 1976 Penal Code and the 2006 counterterrorism law, which mandates the death penalty for certain crimes, including murder, when designated a terrorist crime, HRW said.
Bahrain had declared a "state of national safety", a lower degree of emergency, on March 16, a day before security forces crushed the month-long demonstration.
Bahraini authorities have said 30 people were killed during the unrest.
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