FILE -- In this Oct. 21, 2012 file photo, Bahraini opposition activist Zainab al-Khawaja, left, gestures as she shouts "God is greater than any tyrant," while being arrested by police officers in Eker, Bahrain. On Tuesday, May 31, 2016, Bahraini authorities released prominent rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja on humanitarian grounds after two and a half months behind bars. A dual Danish-Bahraini citizen, she was detained on March 14, 2016 and faced three years in prison on charges related to her participation in anti-government protests, including tearing up pictures of Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File)
Republished May 31, 2016 - 9:18 AM
Original Publication Date May 31, 2016 - 8:00 AM
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Bahraini authorities have released prominent rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja on humanitarian grounds after two and a half months behind bars, her sister told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Zainab al-Khawaja is the daughter of well-known activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is serving a life sentence over his role in Arab Spring-inspired protests in 2011. Her sister Maryam confirmed her release.
A dual Danish-Bahraini citizen, she was detained on March 14 and faced three years in prison on charges related to her participation in anti-government protests, including tearing up pictures of Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Bahrain's Foreign Ministry announced plans to release her earlier this month on account of her year-old son, who was allowed to stay with her in a special prison ward for new mothers.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016