Bahrain: 9 Shias sentenced to life in politicized cases

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The court’s ruling comes within a series of vengeful sentences handed to activists and regular citizens for their opinions and political activism.On October 3rd, 4 Bahraini youths had also been given vengeful life sentences without impartial and independent investigation. Not to mention that the confessions were obtained under torture.On 30th September, 37 citizens, including 2 children, one football player, and 5 athletes were given sentences that totaled up to 255 years, while 8 more citizens were given 36 years in total. One day before, 95 citizens were given a sum of 808 years in prison in 6 cases.In conjunction with these harsh sentences, the courts have acquitted those involved in extrajudicial killings. The killer of the martyr Ali Sager -who died under torture in custody- had his 10year sentence reduced to 2 years. Other killers and torturers were acquitted.The Liberties and Human Rights Department (LHRD) in Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society expressed serious concern over the situation of prisoners, especially those accused in the 5 tons case. The LHRD is concerned that they have been subjected to restrictions, torture and other outrageous violations, including of basic rights.The LHRD demanded a stop to all violations practiced against the prisoners in the 5 tons case and allow them their humanitarian rights, calling on rights organizations to act.The LHRD wondered if the investigators have true evidence as they claim, then why do they practice severe psychological and physical torture to coerce prisoners into confession.The LHRD pointed out that one prisoner appeared in court on a wheelchair, adding, this strongly indicates that the prisoners are subjected to physical torture. It also mentioned that the prisoners have gone on hunger strike protesting the mistreatment and torture they are subjected to after every family visit./149