The court on Sunday adjourned until Sept. 7 to begin hearing defense witnesses. The doctors and nurses are among more than 45 medical personnel facing charges from the Shiite-led protests for greater rights in the Gulf island kingdom.

Bahrain’s use of the security court, which includes military and civilian judges, has been strongly criticized by rights groups.

Hundreds of people have been detained since protests began in February. Bahrain’s majority Shiites are demanding Sunni rulers ease their grip on power.