Bahrain court revokes citizenship of 115 people, gives 53 of them life sentences ‘for terrorism’

A court in Bahrain revoked the citizenship of 115 people and gave 53 of them life sentences on terrorism charges, the public prosecutor said on Tuesday. It is one of the most severe rulings yet in the Gulf island kingdom. Authorities have accused scores of people of militancy in a series of mass trials, saying the defendants are backed by Iran, Reuters said. According to rights activists, the defendants have included mostly peaceful opposition members. Prosecutors reportedly accused defendants of building and detonating bombs, receiving weapons training and plotting to kill police officers.