A group of Bahraini doctors and nurses - convicted of trying to overthrow the government - are preparing to appeal their sentences.

In September, a special security court sentenced 20 medics to prison terms ranging from five to 15 years, provoking an outcry from human rights groups and criticism from the United Nations. 

Their appeal, which the government promises will be a full retrial, is to be heard in a civilian court.

The medics deny the charges and say the government wants to punish them for treating protesters injured in February and March.

Abdulrazzaq al-Saiedi, from the group Physicians for Human Rights, tells Al Jazeera about the government's promises.