A total of 118 university students and staff were jailed for up to 12 months for protesting inside Bahrain University's Sakhir campus during the height of last year's unrest, according to a report.

They were convicted of taking part in an illegal gathering and inciting hatred against the regime, while some were jailed for assault, destroying university property and possessing weapons.

Some were jailed for six months and others a year by the Lower Criminal Court yesterday. Ten of them were also fined a total of BD7,500 ($19,890).

However, the court stated if the Bahrainis paid BD500 as bail money, their convictions would be suspended and they would be freed.

Another 22 Bahrainis were acquitted of all charges.

The university clashes on March 13 last year coincided with a general deterioration of security across the country and clashes between police and protesters outside Bahrain Financial Harbour. – TradeArabia News Service