Summary The group was convicted of trying to bypass security cordons last year to reach uprising hub.
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) - A defense lawyer in Bahrain says 29 protesters have been sentenced to one month in prison for trying to enter a heavily guarded area that was once the center of the Gulf nation s anti-government uprising.
The court decision comes as some opposition groups, inspired by Egyptian crowds that helped topple President Mohammed Morsi, are calling for stepped-up protests.
Lawyer Mohamed al-Wasti said Friday the group was convicted of trying to bypass security cordons last year to reach Pearl Square, the hub of protests in early 2011.
Al-Wasti said the protesters plan to appeal Thursday s court ruling.
Bahrain has faced nearly 29 months of unrest as Shiite-led protesters seek a greater political voice in the strategic Sunni-ruled kingdom, which is home to the U.S. Navy s 5th Fleet.
