Bahraini parliament votes on bill to try civilians in military courts

The Bahraini regime is seeking to implement a new controversial measure to further intensify the crackdown on dissent.
Bahraini lawmakers on Tuesday voted to change the country’s constitution to allow civilians to be tried in military courts. The bill revises a part of Bahrain’s constitution by removing limitations on who military courts can try. The decision comes after a royal decree last month restored the power of Bahrain’s domestic spy service to make arrests. Opposition groups condemned the parliament’s move saying the Bahraini king is effectively creating a police state with this de facto martial law. The bill is yet to be approved by the 40-member Consultative Council, which is appointed by the king.