Eight Bahrain activists get life in prison

MANAMA, Bahrain, June 22 (UPI) -- Eight activists and opposition leaders in Bahrain were sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after they were convicted of plotting to overthrow the government.

Bahrain's National Safety court also sentenced 13 others to prison terms -- ranging from two years to 15 years-- in connection with attempts to oust the country's Sunni royal family, Trade Arabia reported.

Among those sentenced to life in prison was Hassan Mushaimaa, leader of the hardline Shiite opposition group Haq.

Ibrahim Sharif, leader of the secular leftist Waad party, received a five-year prison sentence.

CNN reported the defendants protested loudly after the verdicts were read, prompting officials to forcibly remove them from the courtroom.

Bahrain is one of several Middle Eastern and North African countries embroiled in anti-government protests.

The ruling Sunni royal family has accused protesters in the Shiite-majority country of being motivated by sectarian differences and supported by Iran.