The government of Bahrain said that trials were fair and judiciary independent. "The court provided all assurances of a fair trial through a team of 17 defense attorneys selected by the defendants. The trial was attended by many diplomats of various nationalities ... as well as representatives of human rights and other civil society organizations," Information Affairs Authority said.Ian Black (4 September 2012). "Bahrain condemned as jailed Arab spring activists lose appeal". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 September 2012. Responding to the various international reactions, the Human Rights Affairs Ministry rejected "any intervention by any state or organization"."Respect terror court verdicts!". Gulf Daily News. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012. Government supporters praised the sentences asking for no pardons to be given to the thirteen. Mohammed Khalid, a former MP and a hard-line clericAndrew Hammond (4 September 2012). "Bahrain court upholds sentences on uprising leaders". Reuters. Retrieved 5 September 2012. wrote "God is great! God is great!" on Twitter.
