Bahrain tries two Shiite ex-MPs

A Bahraini special court began on Sunday the trial of two former Shiite MPs accused of calling for regime change and spreading rumours linked to pro-democracy protests which were crushed in mid-March. Matar Matar and Jawad Fayrouz, who were arrested at gunpoint in early May, appeared in court in two separate cases but facing the same charges, according to state news agency BNA. They were both accused of "public incitement for regime change and deliberately spreading biased rumours, in addition to taking part in public gatherings," BNA said, adding they pleaded not guilty. The military prosecutor argued that their alleged confessions and "technical evidence" were enough to convict them. The hearing in the case of Fayruz was adjourned until June 19, while Matar's trial is to reconvene on June 21. Bahrain has come under strong criticism from international rights groups since its security forces quashed the month of Shiite-led street protests and carried out waves of arrests in Shiite villages. Thousands of Shiites rallied on Saturday outside Manama in the first mass rally since the crackdown. The interior ministry said it authorised the demonstration, organised by Al-Wefaq, the largest Shiite formation.