Bahrain Mirror: The first high criminal court convicted 167 of the Diraz protestors on charges of gathering in front of the home of the country's top Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, between 2016 and 2017.

The sentences ranged from 6 months to 10 years' imprisonment, and the court acquitted 4 others in the case involving 171 defendants.

The authorities arrested 286 people during the raid on Diraz, to clear the sit-in that was being held outside the house of Sheikh Qassim for about 11 months. The raid also resulted in the deaths of five citizens and the prevention of their funerals.

The prosecution had referred 171 citizens to trial after being charged with several counts related to the sit-in held outside Ayatollah Qassim's house.

The court subsequently released 140 of the detainees on bail of 200 dinars per person, while 24 others remained in custody.

Arabic Version