Wife says Bahrain activist will stay on hunger strike

Khadija Al Musawi said her husband, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, will not end his nearly three-month hunger strike despite a court-ordered review of his conviction and life sentence

MANAMA // A jailed Bahraini rights activist will not end his nearly three-month hunger strike despite a court-ordered review of his conviction and life sentence, his wife said yesterday.

Khadija Al Musawi said her husband, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, told her that Monday's court decision did not change his demand for an immediate release. His call for freedom has become a centrepiece of anti-government protests in recent weeks.

"His condition to stop the hunger strike is to be free," said Mrs Al Musawi. "If not, then the option is to die, and his death will be his freedom."

Al Khawaja and seven other opposition figures received life sentences last year from a military-led tribunal, which was part of the measures the Sunni government used against an uprising by the nation's Shiite majority.

A court on Monday ordered a full re-examination of the cases - effectively a retrial - for the group that received life sentences and 14 others given lesser jail terms after being accused of anti-state crimes. Seven people among the 21-member group were sentenced in absentia.

The ruling, however, did not mandate their release during the review.

Just one activist, whose sentence was reduced to six months, was freed on Monday on time served.

At least 50 people have died in unrest since February last year. Hundreds have been arrested or purged from jobs as part of pressure on the opposition, seeking an end to what they claim was bias over employment and housing. They also want the kingdom's parliament to have greater legislative powers.

Bahrain's monarchy has made concessions, but not enough to satisfy the demands of protesters. Clashes take place often - with Al Khawaja emerging recently as a powerful rallying point for demonstrators since he began his hunger strike February 8.

Yesterday, riot police used tear gas and stun grenades and protesters hurled firebombs during clashes after marches. A statement by the largest Shiite political group, Al Wefaq, demanded that "all political prisoners should be released".