Bahrain convicts 6 of Twitter insults

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — A lawyer says Bahraini courts have sentenced six people to a year in prison on charges of making Twitter posts deemed offensive to the Gulf nation's king.

The convictions Wednesday are part of wider crackdowns across Gulf Arab states against perceived dissent expressed on social media, including imposing tougher media laws.

Lawyer Shahzalan Khamis says the prosecution claimed the six suspects violated laws with posts critical of Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. No other details on the posts were made public.

Bahrain has been gripped by more than two years of unrest between the Sunni-led government and the kingdom majority Shiites seeking a greater political voice.

Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

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Bahrain activist acquitted over Twitter post

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — A lawyer in Bahrain says a human rights activist has been acquitted over allegations that he posted false news on Twitter.

Mohammed al-Jishi told The Associated Press on Monday that Yousef al-Muhafedha — acting president of the Bahrain Human Rights Center — was found not guilty of posting inaccurate news about some anti-government protests.

This was the third time a court dismissed cyber-related charges, indicating a possible softening of an Internet crackdown in the Sunni-ruled Gulf nation, which has faced nearly two years on non-stop unrest over demands by majority Shiites for a greater political voice.

Al-Muhafedha was detained for two months before being released on bail in January. He is one of dozens in the Gulf nation who faced charges for posting things on social media.

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