The 14 were convicted of premeditated murder and intent to use violence against members of the security forces. "One of them planted an explosive device and prepared it for detonation," the state news agency said on Wednesday.
"They and others participated in group rioting in a public place with the purpose of committing crimes … and they used violence to achieve that end … and all of this was committed for terrorism purposes," BNA said. Attacks on security forces have been on the rise in the Gulf Arab country, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet, more than three years after authorities quelled Muslim-led protests against the Sunni-led government.
The authorities, backed by troops sent from Saudi Arabia, put down demonstrations during the "Arab Spring" revolts that swept the region three years ago, and low level violence is still common. Reconciliation talks between the main Shia opposition groups and the government are largely stalled. Bahraini Shias, who make up the majority of the population, complain of political and economic marginalisation, an accusation the government denies.
