Bahraini medics charged with taking part in "illegal gatherings" lodge appeal

[EMT City Administrator]

Text of report in English by Bahrain newspaper Gulf Daily News website on 6 March

[Report by Noor Zahra: "Unrest Case 23 Medics File Appeal"]

Twenty-three medics convicted of taking part in illegal gatherings and unauthorised rallies during unrest in 2011 have filed appeals against their convictions.

The Lower Criminal Court handed down three-month suspended sentences to each defendant on November 21 - meaning, they would avoid going to prison unless they broke the law again in that period.

Each one was also ordered to pay BD200.

They lodged an appeal at Supreme Criminal Appeals Court, where they appeared yesterday. During the hearing, lawyer Mohsin Al Alawi asked judges to summon prosecution witnesses.

Meanwhile, lawyer Abdulla Al Shamlawi claimed prosecutors did not state where the defendants took part in illegal gatherings, as he sought the acquittal of his clients.

Judges have yet to respond.

The defendants were accused of taking part in illegal gatherings at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) and illegal rallies to the former GCC (Pearl) Roundabout, according to court documents.

They were all found not guilty of refusing to treat patients, failing to report crimes and possessing knives.

Prosecutors had earlier dropped charges of inciting hatred against the regime and making false reports.

All the accused had earlier been released from custody while their case was underway and had pleaded not guilty.

Five others were earlier acquitted of all charges. The date of the next hearing has yet to be announced.

Originally published by Gulf Daily News website, Manama, in English 6 Mar 13.

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