Context
Eight pro-democracy Shi’a activists have been sentenced to life in prison in Bahrain for “plotting to overthrow the government”, the official news agency said on Wednesday. They were amongst 21 opposition leaders tried by a special security tribunal. Others received up to 15 years in prison. Rallies were staged and roads were blocked by their supporters prior to the verdict. Bahrain’s mostly Shi’a demonstrators have been demanding political reforms and more civil rights for the Shi’a majority in the Sunni-ruled monarchy.
