Bahraini activists go on hunger strike

Seven Shiaa activists have begun a hunger strike to protest the government's plan to put a group of political detainees on trial.

The political prisoners have been accused of hatching a plot to stage a coup against the Bahraini government.

The hunger strike began at an activist's house on Friday evening in a bid to highlight "the deteriorating situation in Bahrain" and "call for the release of political prisoners," in particular Hassan Mesheima and Mohammed al-Moqdad, a statement by the activists say.

The trial of Mesheima, General Secretary of the opposition Haq movement, cleric Moqdad and Haq's spokesman Abdeljalil al-Singace is scheduled to begin on February 23, defense lawyer Jalila al-Sayed was quoted by AFP as saying on Wednesday.

The three activists and 32 others have been accused of "having helped plan attacks" during the national holiday on December 16.

The charges sheet has also enumerated "formation of an illegal group" as well as "attempting to change the political regime by force" and "possessing explosives," which would result in heavy prison terms for the prisoners if convicted.

The Persian Gulf country with a majority Shiaa population is ruled by a Sunni minority.

The row between Shiaa dissidents and the rulers were escalated after the government started plans to grant some Saudi Sunni tribes Bahraini nationality in a bid to change the demographic situation of the country.