Bahrain’s state media says a military court in the Gulf kingdom has convicted four Shiite protesters and sentenced them to death for the killing of two policemen during anti—government demonstrations last month.
Thursday’s verdicts were the first related to Bahrain’s uprising, inspired by revolts in the Arab world.
Hundreds of thousands of Bahrain’s Shiite—led opposition have called for greater rights and freedoms in the Sunni monarchy. Authorities have detained hundreds since martial law was declared last month to quell dissent.
The seven were tried behind closed doors on charges of premeditated murder of government employees. Their lawyers denied the charges.
Three other Shiite activists were sentenced to life in prison.
