AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Friday

11 May 2012

6:06:00 PM
314487

Bahrain adjourns retrial of medics for a month

Bahrain has once again adjourned the retrial of 20 medical professionals accused of aiding anti-government uprising during Manama’s crackdown on protests last year.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The medics were convicted by a military court last year and sentenced to prison terms of between five and 15 years. But following strong international condemnation, a retrial by a civilian court was ordered in October.

It is the second time that the retrial is being postponed. On Thursday, the court delayed proceedings again until June 14.

Defense lawyer Jamila al-Sayed has said she expects that authorities may drop some of the charges against the medics in order to save Manama's face.

Defense lawyers, however, say all the defendants should be acquitted as the evidence used to convict them was obtained under duress

The 20 doctors and nurses facing retrial were arrested during February and March 2011 for treating injured anti-government protesters at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in the capital.

But in September, they were convicted of publicly inciting hatred against the ruling regime as well as taking part in illegal assemblies, which sparked international criticism.

The Bahraini medics have repeatedly said they were only doing their jobs as medical professionals and that they have a moral and ethical duty to treat all who needed care, including protesters.

They also said they were mistreated while in detention and were forced to sign confessions, which were later used against them.

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