Syria sentences 12 to prison for political crimes

Damascus: Twelve people were sentenced to 2-1/2 years each in prison by a Syrian court on Wednesday for political crimes.

The 12 were arrested after a leading a meeting to revive a movement calling for freedom of expression and a democratic constitution in Syria, which has been ruled by the Baath party for four decades.

Prominent dissident Riad Seif, who is suffering from cancer, is also among the convicted.

The case has drawn criticism from human rights groups and Western governments, including the United States.