Manama: Bahrain's king ordered the release of some political prisoners on Tuesday, conceding to another opposition demand as the monarchy tries to engage protesters in talks aimed at ending protests that have entered their second week.
It's unclear how many prisoners will be freed, said government spokeswoman Maysoon Sabkar.
But they include some of the 25 activists on trial for allegedly plotting against the regime, a leading member of Bahrain's opposition, Abdul Jalili Khalil, told The Associated Press.
He called the prisoner release is "a good step" and a "positive gesture".
Two of those in the case are being tried in absentia, including opposition leader Hassan Meshaima, who has been in self-exile in London since last year and was expected to return later yesterday.
Meshaima's group, known as Haq, includes 18 members of the 40-member parliament, who resigned on Thursday to protest the killing of demonstrators by security forces. Meshaima, said on his Facebook page on Monday that he wanted to see if his country's leadership was serious about dialogue or if it would arrest him. He is one of 25 people on trial since last year over an alleged coup plot but a statement by King Hamad Bin Eisa on Monday hinted that the trial would be shelved, allowing Mushaimaa an unhindered return.
It was not clear if this would be enough to bring opposition groups into a dialogue that King Hamad has asked his son, the crown prince, to conduct.
"His royal highness continues to call for all Bahrainis to engage in this new process [of dialogue] to move away from polarisation and ensure that sectarianism does not take root," government spokeswoman Maysun Sabkar told a news conference.
She said the crown prince had met some opposition leaders in recent days, though opposition groups say no dialogue has begun yet. Sabkar said she had no information on prisoner releases.
The Bahraini protesters want a full constitutional monarchy, in contrast to the current system where Bahrainis vote for a parliament that has little power. Yesterday, thousands opposition protesters began marching in was expected to be the largest since protests broke out last week.
"The march of loyalty to martyrs" read a large banner carried at the front of the demonstration, which was heading from Manama's Bahrain Mall to Pearl Square in the city centre, focal point of anti-government protests since February 14.
On Monday, Bahrain's crown prince called off Formula One's season-opening race scheduled for March 13, handing another victory to protesters.
Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa owns the rights to the Grand Prix and serves as commander of the armed forces. Protesters said it would have been disrespectful to hold the race.
The crown prince told F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone by telephone that the race would not go ahead.
