Bahrain doctors remain in prison

A NUMBER of Irish-trained medical personnel unlawfully detained in Bahrain are not among 143 prisoners granted a royal pardon, despite pressure from Irish human rights activists.

Supporters of the detainees had hoped the pardon, which marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began yesterday, would be extended to all doctors and nurses still detained, but 10 remain imprisoned.

This is despite pressure from an eight-strong Irish delegation of doctors, politicians and human rights activists who travelled to the Middle Eastern kingdom in July. During the trip they requested that the remaining detainees at least be granted bail pending trial.