A MOB of anti-government protesters was behind the planned attacks on Bahrain University during the height of last year's unrest, it has been claimed in court.

A detective yesterday told the High Criminal Appeals Court that investigations revealed the demonstrators, who rallied at the former GCC (Pearl) roundabout, had planned the attack on students at the university's Sakhir campus.

He was testifying in the appeal of 96 university students and staff, jailed for up to 12 months for their role in the incident.

"Anti-government protesters who took part in a rally at the GCC roundabout planned to attack Sunni students at Bahrain University before carrying out the assault," he claimed.

Illegal

"Shi'ite students at Bahrain University then joined them and attacked Sunni students and destroyed the campus," he added.

The defendants were convicted of taking part in an illegal gathering and inciting hatred against the regime, while some were jailed for assault, destroying university property and possessing weapons.

Some were jailed for six months and others for a year by the Lower Criminal Court last month.

Ten of them were also fined a total of BD7,500. Another 22 were acquitted of all charges.

They lodged an appeal against their convictions and judges released them from custody on BD500 bail while their case is underway.

The university clashes on March 13 last year coincided with a general deterioration of security across the country and clashes between police and protesters outside Bahrain Financial Harbour. The appeal was adjourned until next Tuesday for review.