Bahrain court frees prominent activist pending trial

A Bahraini court yesterday ordered the release of prominent rights activist Nabeel Rajab pending his trial on charges of spreading false information and posting insults online, a judicial source said.

The decision follows repeated requests to release Rajab, 52, who suffered recurring health problems.

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The court postponed his trial to January 23, the source said, adding that Rajab attended the hearing.

The Shia human rights activist, who had been pardoned for health reasons last year, was re-arrested in June and is on trial on a list of charges, including insulting a state institution and Saudi Arabia in online postings.

He is also accused of "spreading false news and rumours and inciting propaganda during wartime which could undermine the war operations by the Bahraini armed forces and weaken the nation", according to state media.