Bahrain king reinstates citizenship of 551 convicted of dissent

Bahrain’s king on Sunday reinstated the citizenship of 551 people convicted and stripped of their nationality amid a series of mass trials during the island nation’s yearslong crackdown on dissent.

A surprise royal order gave no explanation for King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s decision.

Bahrain faces widespread international criticism over its anti-dissent campaign. The Sunni monarchy crushed an Arab Spring uprising in 2011 that was supported by the nation’s Shiite majority. Last week, 138 people lost their citizenship in a mass trial.