Bahrain rights activist Rajab released on bail

Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, facing three separate trials on charges including taking part in an illegal gathering and writing tweets deemed insulting to the government, was granted bail on Monday, his lawyer said. "He has just been released on bail," Mohammed al-Jishi told AFP by telephone from Manama. He said Rajab, who heads the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was ordered to pay 300 dinars ($796) but still faces a travel ban. The next hearing in the case over illegal rallies was adjourned until June 17. Shiite Rajab was granted bail last week in the trial of posting tweets deemed insulting to security forces, over which he was arrested on May 5 upon arrival from a trip abroad. But he was then ordered to stay behind bars for questioning in the case of taking part in a rally and calling for illegal demonstrations, according to a statement by the public prosecution last week. Rajab had been leading anti-government protests following a brutal crackdown on Shiite-led demonstrations against the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty in March 2011. The activist has insisted on demonstrating inside Manama, unlike the main Shiite opposition which now stages protests in Shiite villages, after last year's clampdown on protesters who occupied the capital's Pearl Square for a month.