Amnesty Says 14 Bahrain Protesters Freed on Bail

Fourteen protesters, including 12 women, serving a six-month prison sentence in Bahrain have been freed on bail ahead of a final decision on their sentence by the court of cassation, Amnesty International said.

The 12 women and two men were each given six-month sentences in October for taking part in an "illegal gathering," "incitement to hatred of the regime," "assaulting policewomen" and "participating in illegal marches," Amnesty said in a statement received by Agence France Presse on Friday.

Three of the women were under 18 years old.

Arrested in September after attempting to march towards Pearl Square, the focal point of anti-government demonstrations that broke out on February 14 last year, the protesters' sentences are due to end on March 23.

A judge ordered their release on Tuesday.

Fresh unrest broke out in Bahrain on Tuesday as activists marked the first anniversary of a Shiite-led uprising in the Sunni-dominated kingdom.

Police fired tear gas and birdshot at pro-democracy protesters and arrested dozens in clashes that raged through the night and into early Wednesday, the opposition said.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Wednesday for Bahraini authorities and protesters to exercise "maximum restraint," and engage in an "all-inclusive and meaningful dialogue that meets the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis."