Dubai: The daughter of an imprisoned Bahraini activist was jailed for two months on Wednesday for tearing up a picture of Bahrain’s king, her lawyer said.
Bahrain, has been in turmoil anti-government protests errupted last year. Zainab Al Khawaja, daughter of leading Shiite activist Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja, was arrested at a protest in August that was dispersed by security forces using tear gas and birdshot.
Her defence lawyer called the sentence harsh.
“Usually sentences for such crimes are just fines,” Mohammad Al Jishi told Reuters by telephone from Manama.
Al Jishi said she faced eight more charges related to participating in protests. The next court hearing is on October 4.
Her father went on a hunger strike for more than three months earlier this year to protest against his imprisonment.
The ruling Al Khalifa family used martial law and help from Gulf neighbours to put down last year’s uprising, but unrest has resumed.
Protesters and police clash almost daily and Washington has called on its ally to talk to the opposition.
Bahraini authorities accuse regional Shiite power Iran of encouraging the unrest and has vowed a tough response to violent protests as talks with the opposition have stalled.
Earlier this month, a Bahraini court upheld jail sentences of up to 25 years against leaders of last year’s uprising.
