msnbc
Feb. 15, 2009
MANAMA, Bahrain – The head of a human rights group says seven Bahraini activists are on a hunger strike to protest the arrests of prominent Shiite leaders.
The chairman of the Bahrain Human Rights Center, Nabeel Rajab, said Sunday that the hunger strike began Friday.
Rajab says they`re demanding the release of 35 Bahrainis, including several Shiite activists, charged earlier this month with promoting regime change through terrorism. They`re set to go on trial Feb. 23.
The country`s Shiites have staged widespread protests since December, fueled in part by economic disparities between the predominantly Sunni ruling elite and the country`s poorer, Shiite majority.
The tiny Persian Gulf island is a U.S. ally and hosts the U.S. Navy`s 5th Fleet.