Ali Mearaj, Freelance
Medium:Internet
Charge:Anti-state
Imprisoned:January 6, 2014

Bahraini security forces arrested Mearaj at his home in the village of Nuwaidrat and confiscated his computer and phone, according to news reports. On April 8, 2014, he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on charges of "insulting the king" and for "misusing communication devices" in relation to posts on the opposition website Lulu Awal, the reports said.

Lulu Awal publishes news and information in opposition to the Bahraini government. The website's YouTube page has posted hundreds of videos showing peaceful protests and violent clashes between protesters and police. Anti-government protests have become a near-daily occurrence in the country since the government cracked down on large-scale demonstrations in 2011.

According to news reports citing court documents, Mearaj said he posted news and pictures of demonstrations on several websites, but he denied insulting the king or being responsible for Lulu Awal. Authorities said that a computer seized from his home had been used to post on Lulu Awal, the reports said. It was not clear if any specific posts on the website led to the arrest and conviction.

Mearaj's sentence was under appeal in late 2014.

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