Nabeel Rajab, the president of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights criticized the trials saying they do not meet international standards. "The people were sentenced for expressing their opinion and for opposing the government," he said. Ali Salman, head of Al Wefaq said the convictions go against recommendations by Barack Obama to restore calm before the start of a national dialogue. Khalil al-Marzooq, a leader in Al Wefaq said trials were "hurting the country's international standing". Saeed al-Shehabi, leader of London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement who was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia, said accusations were invalid calling the government's reaction "draconian". "The world has seen how peaceful the demonstrations were. [Y]et, they were condemned as being terrorists," he said."Life sentences for Bahrain dissidents". Al Jazeera English. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
