Surgeons on hunger strike

TWO Irish-trained surgeons have entered their second week of hunger strike in Bahrain.

Ali Al-Ekri and Bassim Dhaif, who both studied at the Royal College of Surgeons, are in the jail with at least 11 other medics who were detained for treating pro-democracy supporters during recent protests in the Gulf State.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is monitoring the surgeons’ situation.

Foreign affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore has urged the authorities to release the men immediately and the issue has been raised by the EU.