Bahraini court sentenced riot makers

A court in Bahrain has sentenced for a period of two years four persons after they were convicted of taking part in acts of riots took place in the New Year celebration in the downtown of the capital Manama.

Lawyer Mousa al-Balloushi said that the major criminal court sentences two of his clients of two year imprisonment -- they are 18 year old -- on charges of gathering and carrying out acts of riots and damaging properties. He added he will appeal this sentence because there is not enough evidence, adding that two other persons were also sentenced.

The same court, however, is expected to sentence another group of persons today.

Al-Balloushi who defends four other Saudi Arabians accused of taking part in acts of riots that have not so far not been brought before the court.

The Bahraini authorities had detained more than 40 persons on charges of acts of violence which were provoked that night of the new year of 2002, and resulted in destroying 90 cars, before the rioters were dispersed by tear gas. Bahraini official say that the acts of riots were fabricated rather than spontaneous.