Manama: A defence lawyer in Bahrain says 21 medical personnel have been cleared of charges linked to anti-government protests but added that cases remain open against two others who failed to appear in court.

Arrests of dozens of doctors and nurses were part of the crackdown by the Gulf kingdom’s Sunni rulers as an uprising began in 2011 seeking greater political say for the majority Shiites.

The medics nearly all Shiites were charged with taking part in illegal protests and other acts linked to the agitation.

Lawyer Abdulla al-Shamlawi said a court today issued the acquittals, but left charges against two who failed to appear.

In October, five doctors lost their appeals on protest-related charges. Others have been freed or tried in absentia.

PTI