Bahraini opposition members are warning of a worsening political crisis following the sentencing of eight leading activists to life in prison. On Wednesday, a Bahraini court ruled Shiite political leader Hassan Mushaima and seven others were guilty of plotting a coup in the protests that erupted earlier this year. Thirteen other activists were given sentences of between two to five years. Bahrain is a key U.S. government ally in the Middle East, hosting the Navy’s Fifth Fleet. In Washington, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner expressed “concern” over the sentences.

Mark Toner: “We are concerned about the severity of the sentences handed down yesterday in Bahrain. We’re also concerned about the use of military courts to try these civilians. As President Obama said in his May 29—or May 19th speech, 'such steps are at odds with the universal rights of Bahrain's citizens.’ We understand that these cases will now go through an appeals process. We continue to urge the Bahraini government to abide by its commitment to transparent judicial proceedings.”

A number of other Bahraini protesters stand to face trial. A military trial is ongoing for a group of doctors and medical workers who treated wounded activists. This week, the wife of one of the doctors says her husband was tortured into confessing, after being forced to stand for three weeks, handcuffed, and deprived of sleep.