A special security tribunal in Bahrain has started trials for at least 34 medical professionals accused of attempting to overthrow the kingdom's rulers.

Those on trial Monday include doctors and nurses who treated wounded protesters during recent anti-government demonstrations.

Bahrain says it has detained 23 doctors and 24 nurses since March. Western media reported that the medical professionals 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 have said 24 people died in the unrest, and the Sunni-led government arrested hundreds in the aftermath of the uprising by mostly Shi'ite protesters.

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.