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Daughter of Bahraini activist freed

Pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja was arrested April 21 after calling for cancellation of the Formula 1 race in Bahrain in protest of the detention of her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. (Image from Khawaja's Twitter feed)
Pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja was arrested April 21 after calling for cancellation of the Formula 1 race in Bahrain in protest of the detention of her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. (Image from Khawaja's Twitter feed)

MANAMA, Bahrain, May 30 (UPI) -- A pro-reform activist protesting the detention of her father, a human rights activist in Bahrain, was released from prison after paying a fine, officials said.

Pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja was given a one-month prison term last week. She was arrested April 21 after calling for cancellation of the Formula 1 race in Bahrain in protest of the detention of her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.

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Khawaja was freed this week after paying a $530 fine, the BBC reports. Her father ended a hunger strike Monday after 110 days. His wife, Khadija al-Mousawi, told the British broadcaster he ended his campaign in part because he was routinely force-fed.

At least 50 people were killed during an uprising led predominately by Shiite minorities last year. The Sunni-led monarchy is said to be investigating recommendations outlined by an independent commission, though it's been criticized for its human rights record.

Khawaja and more than a dozen activists are appealing convictions of allegedly plotting to overthrow the monarchy.

Rights activist Nabeel Rajab was freed on bail this week after being charged with "inciting illegal rallies" using the Internet.

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