Bahrain's Interior Ministry has announced a sweeping crackdown on corrupt police officers.

The military court has sentenced 10 policemen from two to 12 years in jail for bribery.

The indicted men have all been sacked from work. Five will be deported from the country after serving their sentences while another has been acquitted.

'The court charged the corrupt policemen with abusing their positions in exchange for bribes,' assistant under-secretary for legal affairs Mohammed Rashid Bouhammoud said.

They were caught red-handed as they were receiving bribes, claiming they could process employment procedures in the ministry.

The crackdown follows directives from Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.-TradeArabia News Service