Bahrain human rights activist freed on bail

The trial of Nabeel Rajab, jailed for criticising the state, has been adjourned until January.

A prominent Bahraini human rights activist has been released on bail after being jailed last month for criticising state institutions.

Speaking to Al Jazeera after his release on Sunday, Nabeel Rajab, the founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, noted that his latest arrest came just months after he was released from prison on previous charges.

“This is part of a series of attacks and intimidation I’ve been receiving from government due to my human rights work and due to my work with peaceful protests and the peaceful struggle for democracy and justice and human rights in this part of the world,” Rajab told Al Jazeera.

He said he would “never regret” expressing himself, noting he is willing to pay the price for democracy.

His trial has been adjourned until January 20.

Rajab is one of the most high-profile democracy campaigners in the Arab world. He took a leading role in Shia-led mass demonstrations in Bahrain in 2011 which asked for reforms in the Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab kingdom.

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He was jailed in May 2012 on charges of organising and participating in illegal protests and released two years later.

Bahrain has repeatedly been criticised for stifling freedom of expression and targeting activists in the country.

Source: Al Jazeera

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