A military court in Bahrain has convicted four Shia protesters and sentenced them to death for the killing two policemen during anti-government demonstrations last month in the Gulf kingdom, the state media said.
Three other Shia activists, who were also on trial, were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the policemen's deaths.
The verdicts were the first related to Bahrain's uprising, which was inspired by revolts in the Arab world. The kingdom's Shia majority has long complained of discrimination and is campaigning for greater freedoms and equal rights in the tiny Sunni-ruled island nation.
Faced with an unprecedented political unrest, Bahrain's king declared martial law and invited troops from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-ruled Gulf countries to help quell Shia dissent after weeks of street marches and sit-ins in the kingdom's capital, Manama.
The seven opposition supporters sentenced today were tried behind closed doors on charges of pre-meditated murder of government employees. In an earlier hearing this week, Bahrain state media said the military prosecutor presented evidence that showed the defendants killed the policemen "on purpose" by running them over with a car.
Their lawyers denied the charges.
Hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders and human rights activists have been detained since emergency rule was declared March 15. Earlier this month, the authorities banned media from covering legal proceedings in the country's military courts.
Among those detained are also dozens of Shia professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, including a lawyer who was to defend some of the seven opposition supporters in the military court.
The attorney, Mohammed al-Tajer, is one of Bahrain's most prominent human rights lawyers. He has represented hundreds of clients against the state, including Shia activists accused of plotting against the Sunni monarchy that has ruled Bahrain for more than 200 years.
At least 30 people have died since February 15, when anti-government protests erupted in Bahrain. Four opposition supporters have also died in police custody.
Bahrain is the home of the US Navy's 5th Fleet.