A group of mostly Shi'ite medical professionals in Bahrain accused of attempting to overthrow the kingdom's Sunni rulers have declared their innocence before a special military tribunal.

Several doctors pleaded not guilty Monday to a range of charges including seizing control of a hospital during recent anti-government demonstrations, storing weapons and keeping people prisoner.

Many of the defendants – 24 doctors and 23 nurses – worked at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, which the government says served as a coordination point for Shi'ite-led protests earlier this year.

Prosecutors allege that automatic weapons and ammunition were discovered in the hospital and that the defendants “hijacked” the building.

A number of doctors who attempted to tell the judge their confessions had been extracted under torture were silenced.

During Monday's hearing, defense lawyers asked for civilian doctors to examine their clients, who have only been seen by military medical staff to date. The judge agreed, and adjourned the proceedings until next week.

Bahrain says it has detained the medical workers since March. Western media reported they were formally charged last Monday.

Their detention has drawn outrage from human rights groups internationally who say the medical personnel were carrying out their moral and professional duties to treat the injured.

Bahraini officials say 24 people died in the unrest early this year, and the Sunni-led government arrested hundreds in the aftermath of the uprising.

On Sunday, a Bahrain court sentenced a 20-year-old poet to a year in prison because she recited poems critical of Bahrain's monarchy.