PHOTO: Naji Fateel (left), given a 15-year prison sentence on Sunday

A Bahraini court sentenced 50 people on Sunday to between five and 15 years in prison for membership in the February 14 Coalition, which has been organizing protests against the regime since the start of the mass demonstrations in 2011.

Bahrain’s head of public prosecution described the group as a terrorist organisation.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights said human rights campaigners were among those convicted under terrorism laws.

Sixteen defendants were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, including human rights activist Naji Fateel and political activist Hisham Al-Sabbag. Four were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and 30 to 5 years.