Secular Waad leader Ibrahim Sharif carried by supporters. Photograph by Waad_bh
Bahrain’s High Court of Appeals is today expected to announce its verdict in the case of 13 leading opposition figures accused of plotting to overthrow the regime. While international human rights organisations describes them as “prisoners of conscience,” Bahraini authorities and the local Press call them “terrorists” for their role in anti-government protests, which started in Bahrain on February 14, 2011.
Researcher and former Bahrain resident Marc Owen Jones writes:
Verdicts of the #Bahrain13 tomorrow. It was meant to be 3 weeks ago, but judge was unable to read a piece of paper with verdicts on #Bahrain
— Marc Owen Jones (@marcowenjones) September 3, 2012
Human rights activist Jihan Kazerooni notes:
2morrow s d trial of #Bahrain13 opposition leaders who r prisoners of conscience according to #Un #HRW #HRF & all HR organization #Bahrain
— Bahrain (@HRights_Bahrain) September 3, 2012
And Maryam Alkhawaja, who is the daughter of Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, stresses:
Tomorrow is the trial of the #Bahrain13 and @angryarabiya, prisoners of conscience, they shouldn't be in prison to begin with #Bahrain
— Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) September 3, 2012
Meanwhile, unrest is brewing on the streets, with threats from protesters that they will not leave public squares until their demands are met.
Activist Nader AbdulEmam tweets:
@NaderAbdulEmam: We return to our homes and what do we tell the martyrs and their families? We return home and remain under the mercy of injustice to control us and our freedoms and our wealth? You are not delusional only, you are dreaming. We will not return to our homes.
In another tweet, he notes:
@NaderAbdulEmam: Whatever the difference between the opposition is, whether it is for the downfall of the regime or its reform, they agree that returning home is not an option without the return of the three powers which have been robbed. We will not return to our homes.
Former Member of Parliament Ali Alaswad stresses:
@am_aswad: The people of Bahrain, in their decision not to leave the squares, fully comprehend that civil, social and political rights will only be achieved through the peacefulness and justice of their demands movement
