MANAMA, Bahrain — A defense lawyer says a Bahrain court has overturned a conviction against a prominent human rights activist for posting alleged anti-government comments on social media.
But activist Nabeel Rajab remains jailed while he appeals a three-year sentence for his role in protest rallies. The sentencing last week brought criticism from Washington and sparked clashes in the Gulf kingdom, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
Bahrain has faced more than 18 months of unrest between the Sunni-led monarchy and majority Shias, who claim they face systematic discrimination.
Attorney Mohammed al-Jishi says the court Thursday threw out the conviction for the Twitter posts. Rajab has already served more than half of his three-month sentence.
The decision came after Rajab was removed from the court after claiming he endured abuses behind bars.
