Bahrain declared emergency law in March before quelling the protests calling for greater political freedoms, a constitutional monarchy and an end to sectarian discrimination.
“The state of national safety is lifted across the kingdom of Bahrain from June 1, 2011,” state news agency BNA quoted the king’s decree as saying. It had been due to expire in mid-June.
The main opposition group Wefaq welcomed the move as “very good news” and said it was the first sign authorities were relaxing their grip.
Bahrain put 21 opposition activists on trial in special courts on Sunday, charged with trying to topple the government.
They included dissident Hassan Mushaimaa, leader of the opposition group Haq who has called for the overthrow of Al-Khalifa monarchy, and Ebrahim Shareef, the leader of the secular Waad group that has called for a constitutional monarchy but has not joined those seeking to oust the king.
The defendants, who also include a human rights activist who is a Danish citizen, were put on trial in a hybrid civilian-military court where military prosecutors try the case before a panel of one military and two civilian judges.
“Lawyers were called less than 24 hours before the trial started. They did not have time to prepare,” Nabeel Rajab of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights said. State media said the trial was later adjourned to May 12 to give lawyers more time.
The state news agency said the men were accused of involvement in an “attempt to overthrow the government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organization working for a foreign country.” Seven were being tried in absentia.
The state news agency did not say what penalty military prosecutors were seeking in the case. Rights activists say Bahrain’s anti-terrorism law could make them eligible for the death penalty if convicted on the most serious counts.
In late April, a court sentenced four men to death for their role in killing two policemen during the unrest.
Minister for Justice and Islamic Affairs Sheikh Khaled bin Ali Al-Khalifa said all defendants would get fair trials and have the right to appeal verdicts.
“Bahrain is keen to honor its international obligations and respect human rights covenants,” he said in remarks carried by pro-government media on Sunday.
