Bahraini court orders retrial of jailed opposition activists

Manama, Apr 30 (Xinhua-ANI): Bahrain's Appeal Court on Monday ordered retrial in the case of prominent jailed opposition activist Abdulhadi Al Khawaja.

The court said in its verdict that the retrial will take place in a civil court.l Khawaja was jailed for life last year by the National Safety Court on several charges including plotting to overthrow the administration by force.

The court also ordered retrial in the case of 20 other people who were arrested with Al Khawaja last year during the unrest which allegedly had links with foreign terrorist organization.

The defendants include Shia cleric Hassan Mushaima and Ebrahim Sharif, secretary-general of the National Democratic Action Society, a leftist group.

Al Khawaja has been on a hunger strike for over 70 days by now in detention, which has sparked reactions from international rights group.

A group of supporters from the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society and other opposition groups gathered outside the court after the verdict was announced. They shouted slogans against the government and demanded the release of all political prisoners.(Xinhua-ANI)