Bahrainis rally to support jailed medics

Bahraini anti-government protesters have once again taken to the streets, demanding the immediate release of medical professionals. Protest rallies in support of dozens of doctors and nurses imprisoned for providing medical treatment to the injured anti-government protesters were held in several villages, including Daih and Sanabis, on Wednesday. Protesters also called for the ouster of the Al Khalifa regime. Bahraini authorities detained 47 doctors, nurses and paramedics in March when the country declared martial law as part of a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters. The medical professionals appeared before a military court for trial in June and were charged with crimes that included participating in illegal rallies and efforts to overthrow Bahrain's monarchy, as well as refusing to help persons in need. But activists and human rights groups say the medical personnel were arrested and are being prosecuted for treating anti-regime protestors. Bahraini doctors have repeatedly said that they were under professional duty to treat all and rejected claims by the authorities that helping anti-regime protesters was akin to supporting their cause. Some of the detained medics have been released but the Manama government has announced that they would soon be tried in special military courts. Protests against the rule of the Al Khalifa dynasty began in mid-February. In mid-March, Manama called in troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to help the Bahraini forces suppress the nationwide protests. Scores of people have been killed and many more arrested for demanding the ouster of the Al Khalifa family since the beginning of the protests. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have severely criticized the Persian Gulf sheikhdom for its brutal crackdown on civilians, doctors, nurses, lawyers and journalists, who have voiced support for the protest movement.