MDE 11/009/2012

BAHRAIN

On 14 February 2012 a judge ordered the release of 14 people who had been serving six-month sentences for taking part in an "illegal gathering" among other charges. The 14 have been released on bail, and are now waiting for a final decision from the Court of Cassation on their sentence. Their sentences should come to an end on 23 March, six months after they were arrested on 23 September 2011.

A lower criminal court had sentenced the 14 protestors – 12 females, of whom three were under 18; and two men – to six months in prison, on 20 October 2011, for taking part in an "illegal gathering of more than five persons", “incitement to hatred of the regime”, "assaulting policewomen" and “participating in illegal marches”. The 14 protestors had been arrested on 23 September in the City Center Mall in the capital, Manama, for displaying anti-government slogans and attempting to march towards the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Roundabout (also known as the Pearl Roundabout). The High Criminal Court of Appeal upheld on 24 November 2011 the six-month prison sentences handed down to the group.

Thank you to all who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the Urgent Action network. We will continue monitoring the situation and take further action if anything changes.

This is the first update of UA 346/11. Further information: www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/063/2011/en

Name: 14 protestors

Gender m/f: 12 female, two male