AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Agencies
Friday

11 January 2013

9:52:00 AM
380589

Iran decries Bahrain's high appeals court verdict for 13 activists

Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has censured a recent decision by Bahrain's highest court to uphold prison terms for 13 pro-democracy activists, including eight life sentences.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - “Unfortunately, Bahraini officials have not been able to solve problems by tightening a security and police atmosphere, but are complicating the situation through their actions,” Mehmanparast said on Thursday as he expressed deep concern over the court ruling.

On Monday, Bahrain’s highest court rejected the jailed activists' appeal and upheld sentences already handed down for their role in anti-regime protests in 2011.

The Iranian official stressed the importance of a political approach to resolve Bahrain’s problems and called on the officials of the Persian Gulf country to prepare the ground for serious talks through confidence-building measures, including the expulsion of foreign military forces and release of political prisoners.

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