- MANAMA: A judge in Bahrain is vowing to break a legal impasse that has stalled the trial of 25 activists accused of plotting against the country's rulers.
Judge Ibrahim Al-Zayed says he wants to push ahead with hearing witnesses despite a dispute over defense lawyers.
Last month, the entire legal team quit to protest alleged torture against their clients. Court-appointed replacements have refused to serve because they are rejected by the defendants.
The wrangle has frozen the highly sensitive case in the kingdom, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.
Al-Zayed on Thursday set the next hearing for Jan. 27.