Bahrain Newsfeed

[scarletghoul]

how cool is this

16 February 2011 Last updated at 17:57 Bahrain protests: Demonstrators occupy Pearl Square

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51298000/jpg/_51298271_011289511-1.jpg The disturbances in Bahrain are part of a wave of unrest across the region
[/URL]

Thousands of people are occupying the centre of the Bahraini capital on a third day of anti-government protests.
The numbers of those who had camped out overnight in Manama's Pearl Square were swelled by many who joined the protests throughout the day.
Security forces have pulled back to ease tensions after previous days' clashes left two dead and dozens injured in the Gulf kingdom.
The protesters are calling for wide-ranging political reforms.
Bahrain is a key US ally, hosting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. The US has expressed concern at the violence and called for restraint.
Wednesday saw more than 1,000 people attend the funeral in Manama of a man who was killed on Tuesday during clashes with police at the funeral of another protester. Mourners chanted slogans calling for the removal of the government.
Police officers are reported to have been detained over the two deaths, with the country's interior minister describing the deaths as "regrettable" and extending condolences to the families of the deceased.
The disturbances in Bahrain - where the Shia Muslim majority has been ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family since the 18th Century - are part of a wave of anti-government unrest that has swept the Middle East.
[URL="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12477620#story_continues_2"] (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12477620#story_continues_1)
What happened in Tunisia and Egypt has encouraged us to move forward to ask peacefully for our demands”
The Bahraini demonstrators say they want:


political prisoners to be released
more jobs and housing
the creation of a more representative and empowered parliament
a new constitution written by the people
a new cabinet that does not include Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, who has been in office for 40 years

Many had to return to work after Tuesday's public holiday to mark the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, but correspondents say the momentum remains with the protesters so far.
In a rare TV appearance on Tuesday, Bahrain's king, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, expressed regret about the deaths of protesters and said he would continue reforms begun in 2002 when the emirate became a constitutional monarchy.
Opposition boycott Since independence from the UK in 1971, tensions between the Sunni elite and the less affluent Shia have frequently caused civil unrest. Shia groups say they are marginalised, subject to unfair laws, and repressed.
The conflict lessened in 1999 when Sheikh Hamad became emir. He freed political prisoners, allowed exiles to return and abolished a law permitting the government to detain individuals without trial for three years.
He also began a cautious process of democratic reform. In 2001, voters approved a National Action Charter that would transform Bahrain into a constitutional monarchy. The next year, Sheikh Hamad proclaimed himself king and decreed that a National Assembly be formed.
There was also greater protection of democracy and human rights. Although political parties were banned, "political societies" could operate.
Landmark elections were held in 2002, but the opposition boycotted them because the appointed upper chamber of parliament, the Shura Council, was given equal powers to the elected lower chamber, the Council of Representatives.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12477620

[Jalapeno Enema]

Article (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12495733)

Bahrain protests banned as military tightens grip

Protests have been banned in Bahrain and the military has been ordered to tighten its grip after the violent removal of anti-government demonstrators, state TV reports.

The army would take every measure necessary to preserve security, the interior ministry said.

Three people died and 231 were injured when police broke up the main protest camp, said Bahrain's health minister.

The unrest comes amid a wave of protest in the Middle East and North Africa.

Bahrain's demonstrators want wide-ranging political reforms and had been camped out in the capital, Manama, since Tuesday.

Tanks and checkpoints
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed Washington's "deep concern" in a call to the Bahraini foreign minister on Thursday.

Mrs Clinton "urged restraint moving forward. They discussed political and economic reform efforts to respond to the citizens of Bahrain," a state department official told the BBC.

Police action was necessary to pull Bahrain back from the "brink of a sectarian abyss", Bahraini Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said on Thursday.

Bahrain's Shia Muslim majority has been ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family since the 18th Century.

The announcement on state television said the army had taken control of "key parts" of the city.

Tanks, army patrols and military checkpoints are out on key streets, with helicopters deployed overhead.

Barbed wire has been erected on roads leading to the main protest area, Pearl Square, and the interior ministry has warned people to stay off the streets.

Protesters and opposition politicians expressed outrage at the violence of the crackdown.

A leader of the main minority Shia opposition, Abdul Jalil Khalil, said 18 MPs were resigning in protest.

Ibrahim Sharif, of Bahrain's secular Waad party, told the BBC the protests would continue.

"We are going to do what's necessary to change this into a democratic country, even if some of us lose our lives," he said.

"We want a proper, functioning, constitutional democracy."

Mr Sharif said the riot police had moved into Pearl Square at about 0300 (0000 GMT) as people were sleeping.

Bahrain's authorities defended their actions. Finance Minister Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa told the BBC up to 70 police officers had been hurt.

"When (the police) first went in, they went in without any intention to harm anybody, just to move the people who were occupying the roundabout and blocking traffic," Sheikh Al Khalifa said.

"Some of those people left but some of those people came back and fought."

He added: "I think restraint is being used."

But many protesters said there had been no warning about the raid.

On Thursday morning there were angry scenes outside Manama's main hospital, Salmaniya, as hundreds of people gathered, some answering calls to donate blood and others defacing images of the Bahraini royal family.

'Exercise restraint'
The crackdown has caused unease in the West. Bahrain is a key UK and US ally and hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the violent clashes, calling on Bahrain's government to "exercise restraint".

Britain has also said it will review its licences for arms exports to Bahrain. The UK has sold tear gas and riot control equipment to Bahrain, but the Foreign Offices says these licences will be revoked if it is found those arms were used to facilitate internal repression.

Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, are to hold an extraordinary meeting in Bahrain on Thursday.

Bahrain's foreign ministry said council members were "expected to announce their support for the [Bahraini] government in security, defence and politically".

Since independence from the UK in 1971, tensions between the Sunni elite and the less affluent Shia have frequently caused civil unrest. Shia groups say they are marginalised, subject to unfair laws, and repressed.

The conflict lessened in 1999 when Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became emir. He began a cautious process of democratic reform. In 2002, he proclaimed himself king and landmark elections were held.

But the opposition boycotted the polls because the appointed upper chamber of parliament was given equal powers to the elected lower chamber.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51311000/jpg/_51311147_011299267-1.jpgInjured Protester

[danyboy27]

due to the current situation, i think its important to report the atrocities taking place.




1747: Back to events in Manama, Bahrain: Ammar tells the BBC: "I was at the Salmaniya medical centre when the police came in and started firing tear gas and shooting rubber bullets. They are also preventing doctors from helping people. I also tried to get to Pearl roundabout, from where you could hear some gunshots, but I couldn't get there because the roads were blocked. They say they are getting into ambulances and getting protesters out."

[brigadista]

AJ had a video yesterday of the distress in the hospital and a severely beaten doctor

[danyboy27]

1820: Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad has appealed for calm, saying there can be no divide between Sunnis and Shia. Speaking on TV, he said: "I express my condolences to all Bahrainis because of the painful days that we are living. We need time to evaluate what happened and to regroup together again and to restore our humanity, culture and future."




another leader disconnected with reality. while his security force throw people out of ambulance to finish them off, he appeal to calm.

such move is nothing but fear of what could happen next.

[danyboy27]

the bahrain ground forces are only 6000 peoples strong, no wonder they get freak out by demonstrations, in the event of massives rally, they will not be able to contain the strenght of the protest.

bahrain is also an oil rich country. if the industry grind to a halt....

[danyboy27]

1905: Fatema, who lives across from Salmaniya Hospital in Manama, tells the BBC it is a crazy scene in the capital right now: "Injured people have been brought in cars (to the hospital) all day and there are thousands of people outside. There is a lot of anger, but I've never seen Bahrainis so united before."



Its in time of crisis that people tend to get together.

[danyboy27]

from al jazeera:
2:03am At Salmaniya Hospital, a Bahraini army officer who sided with the anti-government protesters is pictured kissing a female demonstrator's hand.

[PhoenixAsh]

Well...the people in bahrain have taken teh square and pitched camp. They have free food and drinks and are planning to stay untill the entire regime is toppled.

they have warned opposition leaders not to negotiate with teh royal family...everybody who does will be seen as a traitor.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Background to Imperialist interference in Bahrain:

http://leninology.blogspot.com/2011/02/bahrain-and-anglo-american-oil-frontier.html

[Os Cangaceiros]

EKXFpbV4FXU

[Tommy4ever]

Overly dramatic title but an important step. Hopefully as some soldiers and policemen cross over to the side of the people more will join them and the Monarchy will be forced to give in to its people.

I know Bahrain has been pushed to the sidelines a bit with the madness in Libya but the struggle of the Bahrainian people should not be totally out of our minds.

[danyboy27]

this regime will probably become a constitutional monarchy.

[Os Cangaceiros]

(Reuters) - Tens of thousands of mainly Shi'ite Bahrainis gathered in Manama on Friday, declared as a day of mourning by the government, in one of the biggest anti-government protests since unrest erupted 10 days ago.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/25/us-bahrain-protests-idUSTRE71O4VS20110225

[Os Cangaceiros]

IZdyiK-Z5Do

[ckaihatsu]

REVOLUTION: Bahrain Protests Throw Kingdom Into Chaos


A modern, democratic, free and egalitarian World cannot exist
alongside the arbitrary rule of kings, despots and dictators, or even
the rule of pseudo-democratic bourgeois elitists. I fully expect ALL
monarchies -- including the equally-decadent british and west-european
ones -- to be swept away by the current rising tide of World-wide
social revolution.


Long Live the World Socialist Revolution.
All Power to the Workers' and Farmers' Councils and Communes.

-- grok.





BAHRAIN PROTESTS THROW KINGDOM INTO CHAOS:
<http://www.wbez.org/story/home-page-top-stories/2011-03-13/bahrain-protests-throw-kingdom-chaos-83653>











--
The Financiers & Banksters have looted untold trillions of our future earnings.
Their bureaucratic police & military goons are here to make us all pay for it.
Forever.
Well FORGET THAT. Let's get it *ALL* back from them -- and more.

**Socialist revolution NOW!!**

Build the North America-wide General Strike.
TODO el poder a los consejos y las comunas.
TOUT le pouvoir aux conseils et communes.
ALL power to the councils and communes.

And beware the 'bait & switch' fraud: "Social Justice" is NOT *Socialism*...


---



Published on WBEZ (http://www.wbez.org)

Home > Printer-friendly


Bahrain Protests Throw Kingdom Into Chaos


NPR Staff and Wires March 13, 2011


Thousands of anti-government demonstrators cut off Bahrain's financial center and drove back police trying to push them from the capital's central square shaking the tiny island kingdom Sunday with the most disruptive protests since calls for more freedom erupted a month ago.

Demonstrators also clashed with security forces and government supporters on the campus of the main university in the Gulf country, the home of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

The clashes fueled fears that Bahrain's political crisis could be stumbling toward open sectarian conflict between the ruling minority Sunnis and Shiites, who account for 70 percent of the nation's 525,000 people.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa said the government is willing to discuss reforming its semi-democratic parliamentary system. But protesters like Hassan al-Mubarak are in no mood to talk

"This government, we've been giving them a chance for 230 years," he said. "They don't want to change."

The opposition is split between those who favor confronting the regime and others who are looking to negotiate.

In some neighborhoods, vigilantes set up checkpoints to try to keep outsiders from entering. Bahrain's interior ministry warned Saturday that the "social fabric" of the nation was in peril.

A day after visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged quick progress toward reform, thousands of protesters gathered before dawn to block King Faisal Highway, a four-lane expressway leading to Bahrain's main financial district in downtown Manama, causing huge traffic chaos during morning rush hour and preventing many from reaching their offices on the first day of the work week.

"No one was able to go to work today. Thugs and protesters were blocking the highway," complained Sawsan Mohammed, 30, who works in the financial district. "I am upset that Bahrain is no longer a stable place."

Security forces dispersed about 350 protesters "by using tear gas," the government said. But traffic was clogged until late morning and many drivers sent messages of rage and frustration to social media sites.

"I blame the protesters for what's happened in Bahrain today," said Dana Nasser, 25, who was caught in the traffic chaos and never made it to her office.

About 2 miles away, police at the same time moved in on Pearl traffic circle, site of a monthlong occupation by members of Bahrain's Shiite majority calling for an elected government and equality with Bahrain's Sunnis.

Many protesters in recent days have pressed their demands further to call for the ouster of the Sunni dynasty that has held power for more than two centuries.

Witnesses said security forces surrounded the protests' tent compound, shooting tear gas and rubber bullets at the activists in the largest effort to clear the protesters since a deadly crackdown last month that left four dead.

Activists tried to stand their ground and chanted "Peaceful! peaceful!"

The crowd swelled into thousands with protesters streaming to the square to reinforce the activists' lines as police continued firing tear gas. By early afternoon, police pulled back from the square, eyewitnesses said.

At Bahrain University, Shiite demonstrators and government supporters held competing protests that descended into violence when plainclothes pro-government backers and security forces forced students who had been blocking the campus main gate to seek refuge in classrooms and lecture halls, said Layla al-Arab, an employee at the Arts Collage.

Two protesters sustained serious head injures and hundreds looked for medical help, mostly with breathing problems from tear gas, hospital officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The Gulf kingdom holds particular importance to Washington as the host of the main American military counterweight to Iran's efforts to expand its armed forces and reach into the Gulf.

Bahrain has also tried hard to position itself as an attractive investment destination and Middle East banking center. Even the passport stamps issued to incoming visitors declare the kingdom as "Business-friendly Bahrain."

NPR's Frank Langfitt contributed to this report, which includes material from The Associated Press Copyright 2011 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.
Source URL: http://www.wbez.org/story/home-page-top-stories/2011-03-13/bahrain-protests-throw-kingdom-chaos-83653

Links:
[1] http://www.npr.org/

[Os Cangaceiros]

This is really, really bad news:



Saudi forces are preparing to intervene in neighbouring Bahrain (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/bahrain), after a day of clashes between police and protesters who mounted the most serious challenge to the island's royal family since demonstrations began a month ago.

The Crown Prince of Bahrain is expected to formally invite security forces from Saudi Arabia (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/saudiarabia) into his country today, as part of a request for support from other members of the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council.

etc.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/14/saudi-arabian-forces-bahrain-protests

the more I learn about the leadership of Saudi Arabia, the more I want to turn into a hardcore tankie Stalinist. The entire royal family deserves to fry.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The BBC have reported that protesters have put up road blocks to oppose the Saudi forces mentioned above.

It will be interesting to see how the US tries to 'spin' this development.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

It's no coincidence that the Saudis sent troops into Bahrain just after US Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, paid them a visit:


After Gates leaves, Saudi Arabia sends troops to Bahrain

Saudi official says troops are a message to US and Iran not to intervene in Gulf affairs.

Caryle Murphy March 14, 2011 16:39

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia dispatched a battalion of National Guard troops to Bahrain Monday as part of a collective action by its five Gulf neighbors to help the island state quell a month-long, popular uprising and regain control of its streets.

A Saudi official said that the 1,200 Saudi troops, sent after a request for assistance from Bahrain’s king, will be used “to safeguard government buildings and make sure the protesters cannot disrupt normal economic and social life of the people.”

The military intervention is a joint effort by the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. Those four states “will all be contributing symbolically” by sending small contingents to Bahrain, the Saudi official said.

The Saudi deployment came a day after violent clashes between anti-government protesters, riot police and government supporters left Manama, the Bahraini capital, in chaos. At one point, the protesters shut down the city’s financial district.

The decision of Riyadh to send troops into Bahrain also is meant to send a message to both Iran and the United States to not interfere in the internal affairs of the country, added the Saudi official, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the press.

“Basically, it’s a signal to the Iranians and [a response to] all these statements coming out of [U.S. Defense] Secretary [Robert M.] Gates,” he said.

In a visit to Bahrain Saturday, Gates told Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa and Crown Prince Sheik Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa that they needed to speed up reforms and make meaningful concessions to the opposition, according to news agencies.

The opposition, which has staged street protests for a month, is demanding an end to long-time discrimination against Bahrain’s Shiite citizens, who make up 70 percent of the population, as well as democratic reforms.

While some protesters want steps that will lead to a constitutional monarchy, others are demanding abdication by the ruling Al Khalifa family, which has led Bahrain for two centuries.

.The battle has taken on a sectarian cast because the monarchy is Sunni Muslim.

"I told both the king and the crown prince that across the region I did not believe there could be a return to the status quo and — that there was change, and it could be led, or it could be imposed," Gates told news agencies after his visit to Bahrain. "Obviously, leading reform — and being responsive — is the way we would like to see this move forward."

Bahrain has long been a close U.S. ally and hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

The Saudi official said that his government did not appreciate Gates “flying into Bahrain and saying the whole region has to change, telling the Crown Prince he will do this and if not, the Iranians” will take advantage of the situation. “We know all this.”

But the Saudi intervention is more than a signal to Iran and Washington. It is also likely meant to strengthen Riyadh’s hand in shaping the outcome of Bahrain’s current crisis. That outcome is crucial because it will impact the kingdom’s own Shiite minority, which also complains about discrimination.

“Saudi Arabia is acting in self-interest because what happens in Bahrain has direct implications for Saudi Arabia — it cannot simply avoid intervention,” said Fares Braizat, an analyst at the Qatar-based Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.

By sending in troops, the kingdom is sending “a very strong sign that it will not allow significant change to happen in Bahrain,” Braizat added.

As in the rest of the Arab world, where unusual and sometimes unprecedented events have been unfurling for several months, including the ousting through peaceful protests of two Arab leaders in Egypt and Tunisia, and a civil war in Libya, today’s action in Bahrain is also a first.

“Here we have a situation of sectarian conflict that has risen to such a degree that it’s provoked GCC intervention,” said Theodore Karasik, director of research at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. “That’s not happened before.”

Mustafa Alani, an analyst at the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center, said he also saw the Gulf Cooperation Council’s decision to assist Bahrain militarily as a message to Washington that, stated bluntly, amounts to this: “It’s none of your business.”

Alani said that Gulf states did not appreciate the way that Washington appeared to easily abandon its long-time ally, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

“There is an impression that the U.S. feels it can wash its hands of a situation in ten minutes,” said Alani, adding that U.S. intelligence assessments of what’s happening in Arab countries are “always wrong.”

The Gulf states’ move today follows their pledge last week to give $10 billion in development assistance to Bahrain and another $10 billion to Oman — which also been hit with violent protests — over the next ten years.

With most of its neighbors facing people in the street demanding political reform, Braizat said, the Gulf wants “to keep the fire away from its own bedroom.”

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/saudi-arabia/110314/saudi-troops-bahrain-gates

[PhoenixAsh]

well...the porverbial shit is about to hit the proverbial fan...


after the Gulf-counsil sent troops in...the Bahrain government has declared the state of emergency and gave orders to the military top do everything necessary to restore order.

An evening clock is expected as well as crack down on the protests....media and internet is being heavilly restricted.

Reports are a bit unclear but at least one Saudi soldier has been shot and killed by protesters.

Protesters are seeding mad about the foreign intervention...and have stated they will not back down.

[Os Cangaceiros]

General strike called by the General Federation of Bahrain trade unions in solidarity with the protestors.

http://manamavoice.com/index.php?plugin=news&act=news_read&id=6674

(in Arabic)

[Artemis3]

While Saudi Arabia, Arab Emirates and Qatar send forces to stop the revolution, Al Jazeera coverage there is next to nothing. Do not blindly trust the mass media, the "kingdoms" are helping each other...

[Os Cangaceiros]

The UN is concerned that the regime in Bahrain is being naughty (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201131855056179376.html)

[Os Cangaceiros]

Bahrain's freed political prisoners complain of "extreme systematic torture", place blame on the UK

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/169725.html

[Artemis3]

There are many horrible videos in youtube about Bahrein, the demonstrators don't even have weapons, but the police and armed forces shoot to kill. Where is AJ statement about supporting democracy for the people of Bahrain? Please don't let Libya distract you from this.

Few examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2FHRRwSGas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5dvfBcfH8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QjoEMKJCc8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBdu98w-f4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6RCBOC-MAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEw3E3POc7Y

[PhoenixAsh]

Yeah...I wonder where the pressing for a UN resolution by the US/France/Brittain is now....or is it just inconvenient to call for humanity when it concerns allies?

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

The King of Bahrain is smart enough not to use tanks. Gaddafi made the mistake of using heavy weapons. As for Saleh ... he used heavy weapons, but in remote rural areas that the press never got access too.


Just a thought (not related to u but some of the third worldists on this forum)
Gaddafi ... the Khalifas ... Saleh ... all these guys have to go. "Third worldists" who support Gaddafi against the west are as biased as the American government, which seems to think Bahrain and Yemen should be ignored while we bomb Libya.

[ckaihatsu]

The mass industrial struggle against the government and for better living standards has spread to virtually every sector of the economy. Workers in the construction sector, national air carrier Gulf Air, the energy industry, and the public sector are on strike.

In a move that will be met with consternation by the imperialist powers and global financial markets, striking oil refinery workers at the state-owned Bahrain Petroleum Company partially shut down production on Sunday. The refinery, which can process up to 250,000 barrels of crude oil each day, is operating at just 10 percent capacity, according to a union spokesperson.

http://wsws.org/articles/2011/mar2011/bahr-m21.shtml

[Palestine]

Confirmed: The Bahraini government demolishes a hospital that treated the injured from the protests.

[Yawn]

Confirmed: The Bahraini government demolishes a hospital that treated the injured from the protests.

Link?

[Os Cangaceiros]

terrible (http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/04/20114512347348853.html)

[Os Cangaceiros]

ITUC demands end to anti-union repression in Bahrain. (http://www.ituc-csi.org/bahrain-ituc-demands-end-to-anti.html)


The Baharaini authorities seem to be intent on destroying the country’s trade union movement, as a central part of a campaign of revenge against those who took part in peaceful demonstrations and strike actions in protest at the killing and maiming of innocent people by Bahrain’s security forces with the support of foreign troops.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Four anti-government protestors sentenced to death; thousands protest, solidarity protests in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/04/2011429194938853377.html)

[PhoenixAsh]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/al-jazeera-tv-network-draws-criticism-praise-for-coverage-of-arab-revolutions/2011/05/08/AFoHWs2G_story.html

Nice article about the coverage by Al Jazeera...

[Os Cangaceiros]

Police and protesters have clashed in Bahrain after eight Shia Muslim activists accused of plotting a coup to overthrow the Gulf Arab state's Sunni monarchy were sentenced to life in prison.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/20116228219100399.html