A Bahrain court has upheld the sentences of 21 activists for their involvement in the nation’s popular uprising. The prisoners include eight prominent political figures sentenced to life on charges of trying to overthrow the Gulf nation’s Sunni rulers. The ruling comes just after the Obama administration announced plans to sell $53 million worth of military equipment to Bahrain, including armored vehicles as well as bunker buster and wire-guided missiles. Bahrain is a key U.S. government ally and home to the Navy’s 5th Fleet.