Manama, Bahrain A Bahraini court  on Thursday sentenced four people to death for their alleged role in the killing of two policemen in March in Manama. The National Safety Lower Court said Ali Abdullah Hassan Al Singees, Qasim Hassan Matar Ahmad,

Saeed Abduljalil Saeed and Abdul Aziz Abdul Rida Ebrahim Husain would be executed for their role in the killing of Policemen Kashef Ahmad Madhoor and Mohammad Farooq Abdulsamad. The court also sentenced Eisa Abdullah Kadhem Ali, Sayyed Sadiq Ali Mahdi and Husain Jaafar Abdul Kareem to life in prison for their role in the killing of the policemen. The verdict is not final and the defendants can appeal against it before the National Safety Court of Appeals. The military prosecutor on Sunday sought the death penalty for the seven defendants, but the defense team called for their acquittal.

Meanwhile  Bahrain has released 312 people it had detained since the launch of a security operation following weeks of protests and political turmoil. \"I wish to announce that 312 detainees, including sick people, have been released either for health consideration or after they spent time in detention,\" said Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa, president of the information affairs authority.  \"Several people were detained after the declaration of the state of national safety on March 15 for their implication in security related violations,\" he told reporters at a press conference.

Shaikh Fawaz, who was given the media portfolio in July, said that Bahrain was well ahead in recovering its full security and stability. \"The public order forces did a good job, and we were pained when two of them were targeted. One cameraman working for Bahrain TV was lucky to escape the attempt on his life, but the others were not. We also deplore the death of two motorists who refused to comply with security measures, raised alert levels by not lowering their speed as they approached the checkpoints and were killed,\" he said.

From Gulf News