Bahrain eases ruling on medics

MANAMA, Bahrain, June 14 (UPI) -- An appeals court in Bahrain reduced sentences or acquitted medics accused of taking part in anti-government protests last year.

"Today the verdict of the 20 medics was handed down; nine were found innocent, five will be released for time served," the official Bahrain News Agency reports. "The four that were convicted still have their right for appeal. Legal recourses remain."

The news service notes that the medics were charged with "politicizing their profession," notably for their alleged involvement in efforts to overthrow the Sunni-led monarchy during uprisings last year.

Most of the accused had worked at the Salmaniya medical complex in Manama, which was raided by Bahraini security forces in March 2011 as part of the regime's crackdown against the Shiite majority.

Officials with Doctors without Borders had claimed security forces in the country routinely beat patients at the medical complex who suffered injuries during anti-monarchy rallies.

BNA, meanwhile, reported that the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry found the medics served dual roles as political activists and medical personnel.

The monarchy was criticized by large parts of the international community for its crackdown on dissidents.

At least 50 people were killed during last year's uprising.