Rasa - Dozens of human rights groups have called on Bahraini authorities to release prominent opposition figure and pro-democracy campaigner Nabeel Rajab, who is due to stand trial later this month, as the ruling Al Khalifah regime presses ahead with its crackdown on political dissidents in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom.

Rasa - The trial opened on Sunday of Bahraini human rights activist Nabil Rajab, accused of having "insulted official bodies" in remarks posted on Twitter, a judicial source said.