MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — A court has fined the top editor of Bahrain's main opposition newspaper and three staff members for publishing purportedly false stories about abuses against Shiite-led protesters.
The verdict was hailed by the Al Wasat newspaper because no jail time was ordered.
During the trial, chief editor Mansoor al-Jamri said the articles — falsely describing abuses by Bahraini security forces — appeared to be part of a plot to discredit the paper by backers of the ruling Sunni monarchy.
The four from Al Wasat were convicted on Tuesday and ordered to pay 1,000 dinars ($2,660) each. No appeal is planned.
Last week, al-Jamri was among four journalists awarded press freedom prizes by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.
