Bahrain: 8 prominent opposition activists sentenced to life in prison

From Foreign Policy: "A military tribunal in Bahrain has sentenced eight prominent opposition activists to life imprisonment and 13 others to lesser prison sentences, on charges of seeking to topple the monarchy and collaborating with a foreign terrorist group, among a host of other charges."

Zainab Al Khawaja (@angryarabiya) is the daughter of one of the activists sentenced today. Her Twitter feed today was filled with a chilling account of the sentencing, and what she went through to witness it. Here is a collection of her tweets today.

"I do feel that one reason I wasn't beaten today is Twitter," she wrote. "It makes them feel exposed, they like committing their crimes in the dark."

• [Anonymous]

  Hey, a military tribunal, we have those! In times like these you have to look past what makes us different and remember how similar we all are.

• [emmdeeaych]

  You know, a lot of the legitimacy of that monarchy comes from its relationship with the US, and our Fifth Fleet, which is based there.

• [teapot]

  Hi Amerikkka…. I know you like the convenience of having your military bases in Bahrain but WTF is wrong with you? Bomb this despot, but then pay this one millions of dollars while you turn a blind eye.

  Thankfully Bernie Ecclestone (F1 presidnet) wisened up and decided not to let them have the F1 this year. It should be a permanent ban, though.

  • [Stonewalker]

    But but… it’s for the people, we were protecting the citizens, right guys? Right?

    • [teapot]

      I happen to think NATO should bomb both despots (but also make sure there’s enough bombs left over for Bashar al-Assad). I just want some moral consistency, or it seems like US is choosing sides based on (shock, horror) political expediency and convenience.

      Perhaps the US govt needs some PR handlers?

      • [Stonewalker]

        If you (as a nation’s leadership) are going to get involved in another nation’s internal conflict at all, then playing to win is probably the best bet, which is what the US .gov is doing. I don’t agree with fighting against leaders who you’ve deemed to be evil dictators. What is your standard? What line has to be crossed? Even if that line is crossed, what right does your nation have to involve itself in another nation’s affairs?

        The US does what is best for the US, while turning a blind eye to the crimes of it’s allies. I guess I can’t blame the federalis for doing that, but attacking Ghadaffi under the guise of altruism or principled action is just insulting to everybody.

• [tmp0]

  It is very easy for those who are unaware of the whole picture to sympathize. I and most others who live in Bahrain, don’t.

  Here are a few chilling stories, to follow your path resistance…

  My mom’s cousins, three woman with children living in one house (no men), in the peak of the unrest use to receive text messages from the same group your father leads and advocates, threatening “Today we will kill every child in your house, we won’t leave anyone, and you will witness it.”

  BoingBoing readers might be aware of the video of the guy who ran over six officers, and killed them. This act is endorsed by the group your father represents.

  BoingBoing readers might also have seen the youtube video that went viral, of police killing protesters, which few weeks later was proven to be fake, among many many other documents and media materials systematically fabricated by the group “wifaq” or whatever you call your selves.

  It is common knowledge here that Wifaq serves Iranian interest, and most of the protesters are directly supported by Iran. This is why US did not intervene; all the countries of the GCC did intervene to stop the unrest by the Iranian-powered group, Wifaq, represented by your father.

  Many similar stories to share. One more is when your “peaceful protesters” attacked Bahrain University, where my sister was. Check YouTube for a video on that one. Peaceful activists my ass.

  I’m glad this is finally happening, your father and the like taken to prison; making Bahrain and GCC a better and more peaceful place.

  Feel free to go back to Iran.

  • [Stonewalker]

    You make a lot of claims but provide no evidence. Can you cite sources for all your claims?

  • [Teller]

    Evidence = a twitter feed or iPhone video.