Dubai: A jailed activist in Bahrain has gone back on hunger strike ahead of the February 14 anniversary of an anti-government uprising, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights said on Thursday.
Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja was one of 14 prominent figures, convicted of leading the protests, who took part in an eight-day hunger strike to demand their release. Bahraini authorities said that hunger strike ended last week.
"Al Khawaja said in a telephone call to his family, freedom or death, which means he started an open hunger strike until his release," said the human rights group on its website.
The opposition is trying to sustain pressure on the government, ahead of the anniversary of the uprising. The reforms they want include an elected government — the first in the Gulf — and reduced powers for the Al Khalifa family.
Bahrain imposed martial law in March last year and asked troops from GCC states to help maintain security.
The government said the Shiites had coordinated the protests with Iran, an accusation the opposition has denied.
