On December 26, an appeals court reduced the fifteen-year prison sentences of seven students allegedly convicted for participating in peaceful, pro-democracy protests in March 2011. The students, who were convicted of attempted murder, setting fire to Bahrain University, and inciting hatred against the government, were sentenced in October 2011. According to sources, their confessions were extracted under torture and evidence demonstrating that several of the students were not present at the university during the alleged attacks was not permitted at trial. Bahrain’s Supreme Criminal Appeals Court reduced the students’ sentences to five years (3 students), three years (3 students), and six years (1 student previously released on medical grounds).
Sources:
www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=344487
www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/4832