Bahrain postpones trial of 61 athletes accused of protest links
 

29-11-11 10:25 AM

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By Associated Press, November 29, 2:41 PM

MANAMA, Bahrain — A Bahrain court has postponed the trial of 61 athletes and sports officials accused of links to anti-government protests.

Defense attorney Mohsen al-Alawi says the hearing was rescheduled for Jan. 4 because most of the defendants did not appear at Tuesday’s proceedings. They include handball, basketball and volleyball players along with referees and administrators for several sports.

BYSHR mad a list of 58 athletes on trail here

The charges include illegal assembly and inciting hatred against Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy.

The defendants are among 150 Shiite sportsmen detained as part of crackdowns on protests by Bahrain’s Shiite majority seeking a greater political voice.

An independent report issued last week accused authorities of widespread abuses including torture.

washingtonpost.com

Related:

• ESPN Report on Arrest & Torture of The Athletes Of Bahrain , Nov 2011
• Handball players from Bahrain jailed for 15 years , Oct 2011
• Mid East Posts: What to do About Bahrain? A Headache For Both Obama and Blatter, Aug 2011
• The Economist: Football in Bahrain: A house divided, Aug 2011
• Human Rights First Urges FIFA, U.S. World Cup Team to Condemn Bahrain’s Attack on Athletes , July 2011
• The Times: Bahrain's soccer stars tortured in custody , July 2011
• Bahrain: Arrest, military trials, & suspension from sport activities, for athletes who practice their legitimate rights , July 2011
• BYSHR Report: “Sports” defendant in Bahrain, because of freedom of opinion and expression , April 2011
• AP: Bahrain soccer stars pay price for protesting

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