Bahrain has sentenced eight prominent activists to life in prison on charges of plotting a coup in the country during protests earlier this year.

The Bahrain News Agency said the sentences were issued against a prominent Shia political leader, Hassan Mushaima; activists Abdulhady al-Khawaja, Abduljalil al-Singace and five other people.

The court also sentenced several other defendants to between two and 15 years in jail.

The state news agency reports: 

The Military Prosecutor of the National Safety Court issued the Court’s verdicts in its trial today against those charged of plotting to topple the leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain. 

Al Jazeera English spoke to Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, who said many people are unhappy about the sentences. 

AJE reports: 

“Abdulhady al-Khawaja is one of the most respected human rights activist in the whole Arab region, so people are very angry,” Rajab said.

“Hundreds of people have been brought up for charges in the past few days, and hundreds more are waiting to be tried.”

Read the rest of the AJE article here.