A special court in Bahrain has upheld life sentences for eight Shi'ite opposition activists convicted of plotting to overthrow the minority Sunni-led government during anti-government protests earlier this year.

The state-run Bahrain News Agency said the court approved the sentences Wednesday, along with those of 13 other activists jailed for two to 15 years on similar charges of sedition.

All of the defendants can appeal their sentence to a higher court.

Clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters have killed about 40 people since February with more than 1,000 others detained.

The government has defended the crackdown, saying it is needed to reinstate stability.