Bahrain court sentences 8 in coup plot trial

A defense lawyer in Bahrain says a court has sentenced eight people to prison terms of up to 15 years after they were accused of plotting with suspected Iranian agents to topple the Gulf kingdom's ruling system. The convictions Sunday reflect claims by Gulf Arab states that Iran has links to the Shiite-led uprising against Bahrain's Sunni dynasty. Iranian leaders deny any active aid to the protests that began 15 months ago. Lawyer Mohsin al-Alawi says the court sentenced six people to 15 years in person. Three of those were sentenced in absentia, including the son of jailed activist Hassan Mushaima. Al-Alawi says two others received lesser sentences Sunday and were freed because they had already spent six months in detention.