Trial of alleged Qatari coup plotters resumes

Trial proceedings following an attempted coup in Qatar nearly two years ago are resuming shortly, with four military officers and three civilians facing the most serious charges yet.

The men, all Qataris, are accused of forming a clandestine group to overthrow the ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and of selling state secrets and contacting foreign powers.

The countries allegedly involved have not been disclosed.

One-hundred-and-ten men have already stood trial over the coup attempt in February 1996.

The previous year, Sheikh Hamad had deposed his father, Sheikh Khalifa al-Thani, who had often said publicly that he aimed to retake the throne.

The trial has already broken the record for Qatar's longest court sitting.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service