Protester due to end his 110-day hunger strike

Bahraini hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja plans was due to end his strike yesterday, 110 days after he began refusing food, according to his lawyer.

Khawaja decided to begin eating again after he succeeded in bringing attention to the cause of Bahraini protesters, Mohamed al-Jishi said. Khawaja, 51, remains in prison.

Bahrain’s majority Shiites launched an uprising more than 15 months ago seeking to limit the powers of the ruling Sunni dynasty. At least 50 people have been killed in the unrest.

Bahrain rejected Denmark’s request in March to take custody of Khawaja, who is also a Danish citizen. He appeared at a court hearing using a wheelchair last week. He has been receiving fluids intravenously and drinking juice occasionally but has so far not begun eating, his lawyer said.

He and seven other activists were sentenced to life in prison last year by a military court as part of government crackdowns. They are among a 21-member group whose cases are being re-examined by a civilian court.

Another prominent Bahraini rights activist, Nabeel Rajab, was released on bail yesterday, more than three weeks after his arrest on charges linked to anti-government protests in the kingdom.

Rajabwas charged with using social media to insult Bahraini authorities and encourage demonstrations.