OPPOSITION activist Nabeel Rajab jailed for insulting the people of Muharraq via his Twitter account has lodged an appeal against his conviction. He was sentenced to three months in prison by the Lower Criminal Court, where he is already on trial in three other cases.

Mr Rajab was brought from Jaw Prison to attend the High Criminal Appeals Court hearing yesterday.

His defence team requested his release, which judges rejected and adjourned the case until Tuesday to allow lawyers to access case files.

The complaint against him was filed at the Public Prosecution by 24 retired police officers who live in Muharraq. They accused him of casting doubt on their patriotism.

Mr Rajab allegedly said they were government stooges.

However, defence lawyers earlier presented a letter to the court, which included signatures of 400 Muharraq residents, who said they did not think what Mr Rajab wrote on his Twitter account was insulting.