Bahrain's King Hamad ordered the release of Shiite prisoners and halted the trial of others, reports the state news agency, saying the monarch was answering calls to free prisoners.
The king has "ordered the release of a number of convicted people, and stopping trial proceedings against those people mentioned in the statement" released on Sunday at a pro-government rally which urged the monarch to free prisoners of conscience, BNA said.
Releasing political prisoners is one of the Shiite-led opposition's conditions for accepting a government offer for dialogue as anti-regime protesters continue to camp out in Manama's central Pearl Square.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 