The FINANCIAL -- EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton called on the Bahraini courts to "reconsider" a three-year jail sentence handed out on Thursday to prominent Shiite rights activist Nabeel Rajab.

The High Representative "has noted with concern the sentencing... for taking part in unauthorised protests in Bahrain," said a statement by Ashton's spokesperson.

Ashton "expects that this sentence in Mr Rajab's case will be reconsidered in the appeal process, and that the same treatment will be given to all Bahraini citizens who are being tried for charges relating to the exercise of their fundamental freedoms."

Rajab led anti-government protests following a brutal crackdown on Shiite-led demonstrations against the regime in March 2011.

As EUbusiness reported, he has been in custody since June 6 on charges of insulting members of the Sunni community on Twitter, days after being released on bail after a month behind bars over other charges.

Amnesty International called for Rajab's immediate release, describing his sentence as "a dark day for justice in Bahrain."

The EU statement added that Ashton "urges all components of Bahraini society to contribute to dialogue and national reconciliation in a peaceful and constructive manner, without further delays."

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