Bahraini human rights activist Nabil Ragab has been sentenced to imprisonment for a long time, as he published an article underlining the inability of journalists and activists working with non-governmental organizations to enter Bahrain.

The verdict was issued during a judicial session conducted on Monday, as the Bahraini authorities prevented him and his lawyer from attending the session.

Ragab, arrested by Bahraini security authorities since June 2016, has been accused of smearing the state through publishing false news impairing the kingdom prestige before the world, in response to the article he published on New York Times newspaper.

According to Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, Ragab had not been informed of the accusations against him since his arrest in June until his prosecution on Monday.

The institute’s director Sayed Ahmed Al Wadi said that the Bahraini authorities target each figure expressing his opposition against the ruling regime. He added that they imprison the opposition figures, describing Ragab’s conviction is a shame.