Two former Bahraini opposition MPs appeared in court for the first time on Sunday after they were arrested in April.

Former Al Wefaq MPs Jawad Fairooz Ghuloom Fairooz and Mattar Ibrahim Ali Mattar are accused of publicly inciting hatred against the regime seeking to overthrow it, deliberately spreading rumours and lies, and taking part in illegal gatherings.

They appeared at two separate sessions at the Lower National Safety Court, where they pleaded not guilty.

The Military Prosecution said it had enough evidence against Fairooz and Mattar and did not require summoning witnesses, but would keep its right for closing pleadings.

It said that it had intelligence and interrogation reports as well as audio and video recordings that were enough to convict both men.

Fairooz's defence team will now have to either present witnesses on Sunday or proceed with the final verbal or written defences. Mattar's case has been postponed until June 21 for the same reason.

Meanwhile, well-known lawyer Mohammed Al Tajer also appeared in court for the first time yesterday, where he pleaded not guilty.

He is being accused of publicly inciting hatred against the regime, spreading rumours and malicious news as well as encouraging others to kidnap and hurt policemen.

His defence will have to come up with witnesses or present its final defences on Thursday after prosecutors said that evidence against the suspect didn't require witnesses to validate them.

The defence team will be presented with a copy of the Military Prosecution's audio and video evidence.

In a separate case, 20 men accused of using force and violence at a gathering at the Bahrain Financial Harbour appeared in court yesterday.

However, their case has been postponed until Sunday to assign them lawyers.

One of the defendants will also be referred to forensics and a specialised medical consultant, while another will be provided urgent healthcare.

A Bahraini accused of deliberately starting fire and endangering people's lives and property also appeared in court yesterday.

Mahmood Ali Suleiman pleaded not guilty, while prosecutors said evidence against him was solid.

Prosecutors said the evidence gathered in intelligence and interrogation reports as well as Civil Defence documents were enough to convict the suspect without the need for any witnesses.

The case has been postponed until Sunday to allow the defence team present witnesses based on their request. Present at all hearings were representatives of Bahrain human rights organisations and relatives of the defendants.-TradeArabia News Service