Bahrain\u2019s Al Khalifa rulers calling for reconciliation & Dialogue while at the same time sentencing Opposition leaders for life<\/p>\n
JNN 24 June 2011 : A Bahrain court sentenced eight prominent activists to life in prison on Wednesday for \u201cplotting to overthrow\u201d the kingdom\u2019s Al Khalifa rulers, nearly a week ahead of a national dialogue proposed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. <\/p>\n
The National Safety Court of first instance also jailed 13 others for two to 15 years on similar charges, state news agency BNA added.<\/p>\n
A member of Bahrain\u2019s largest opposition formation, the Islamic National Accord Association (Al-Wefaq), slammed the sentence as contradicting King Hamad\u2019s calls for dialogue, set to begin on July 1, AFP reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this the atmosphere for dialogue?\u201d asked Khalil Marzooq in excerpts of a speech he gave at a press conference in Manama posted on his Facebook page.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the one calling for change and reform is sentenced to life in prison, how will others take part\u201d in dialogue, he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are political forces, some of whom have received harsh sentences today, which have not been invited for dialogue,\u201d he added. \u201cHow will there be a dialogue without those figures?\u201d<\/p>\n
The eight activists sentenced to life include Hassan Mashaima, head of the Shia opposition Haq movement, and Abdulwahab Hussein, who leads the Shiite Wafa Islamic Movement, as well as Shia rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is also a Danish citizen. …more<\/a><\/p>\n