MANAMA, Bahrain – more doctors and nurses who treated wounded anti-government protesters during months of unrest in Bahrain tried in a military court on charges of acting against the State, the Justice Minister said Tuesday.
Khaled bin Ali Al Khalifa said charges against 23 doctors and 24 nurses includes participating in attempts to overthrow the island's Sunni monarchy and participating in illegal rallies.
The message is the latest in the Sunni rulers relentless persecution of the Shiite opposition supporters after weeks of street marches demanding greater freedoms, equal rights and an elected Government in Bahrain.
During the disturbances, medical staff repeatedly said they were professional duty to treat all and strongly rejected claims by the authorities to help anti-government demonstrators were akin to support their case.
Separately, arrested two former members of the country's main Shiite party Al Wefaq, according to a senior party leader, Abdul-Jalil Khalil.
Al Wefaq has been the leading political contributor of Bahrain uprising, which was inspired by the rebellion in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year.
Bahrain's Sunni rulers declared a State of emergency on 15 March to crush the Shiites demonstrate greater rights and freedoms. Hundreds of demonstrators, opposition leaders, human rights activists and lawyers are detained since emergency rule was introduced. Dozens of doctors, nurses and other medical staff have also been arrested.
U.s. State Department Mark Toner, warned, however, to target opposition politicians were not necessarily the best way for the Government to resolve the current situation.
"There are no security solution to solve the challenges we are facing Bahrain. We call on Bahrain in prisoners ' rights to due process, "he said, adding that he was unaware of the charges will be filed against medical professionals.
At a press conference Tuesday read the Minister of justice charges against the 23 doctors and 24 nurses, which also includes "promoting efforts to overthrow the Government" and "detrimental to the public by spreading false news."
International rights groups say Bahrain targeting medical professionals who treat injured demonstrators at Salmaniya medical centre, which later was flooded by the military.
At least 30 people have died since protests in Bahrain began in mid-February. Among the dead is also four opposition supporters, who died in custody, including a blogger.
On Thursday, were four anti-government protesters convicted of killing two police officers during protests and sentenced to death by a military court. Three other protesters were given life sentences.
The military took over the State-run Salmaniya hospital in March, and doctors and patients said soldiers and police had conducted interrogations and detentions inside the complex.
Physicians for human rights said in a report last month that at least 32 the health sector have been detained since Bahrain declared a State of emergency. Report of the Group of U.S.-based detailed attack on doctors, medical staff and patients "with weapons, beatings and tear gas."
Khalil, Al Wefaq leader, said Tuesday two of its former lawmakers — go through the reviews and Jawad Fairoz — was taken into custody Monday evening. Khalil said he does not know the details of their arrest.
Last month, order the small island nation Sunni rulers also Al Wefaq are dismantled.
Authorities also accused Bahrain main opposition newspaper, Al Wasat, threaten national security. The paper will be forced to shut down next week and three of his former top editors will go on trial on May 19.
Bahrain is home to the u.s. Navy 5th fleet, Washington's main counterbalance against Iran in expanding military influence in the oil-rich Gulf.
Al Wefaq is the most influential party in Bahrain, seven-Member Shiite resistance. 18 members of the party has been elected to the nation's 40-member Parliament last year, even though legislators resigned from the Agency in March to protest Government penalty.
Parliament is the only elected body of Bahrain. It has limited authority since all the country's decisions — including the appointment of Government Ministers — rest with the King.
Al Khalifa family has ruled Bahrain in more than 200 years.
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