Bahrain protesters given lengthy jail terms

As many as 36 people in Bahrain were given prison sentences of between 15 and 25 years in three separate cases for taking part in anti-government protests earlier this year, Al-Jazeera TV reported Monday. Prosecutor Yusof Fleifel said 14 of the convicted had been sentenced to life for beating to death a Pakistani "with a terrorist aim", as well as "assembling for riots." Another 15 were sentenced to 15 years in jail after being found guilty of attempting to murder military personnel, in addition to taking part in protests and vandalism at Bahrain University in Manama. The third case involved seven university students, six of whom were jailed for 15 years, while another as sentenced to 18 years, over charges including attempted murder targeting several people at the university. Last week, doctors and nurses accused of aiding demonstrators were also given prison terms. A session has been set for Oct. 23 to look into the appeals, said chief prosecutor Abdul-Rahman al-Sayyed. In February and March, Bahrain has been swept by anti- government protests, most by majority Shi'ite, for more political and economic reforms and some of the protesters have called for bringing down the county's ruling family and establishing a constitutional-based monarchy.