A defense lawyer in Bahrain says two policemen have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the fatal beating of an anti-government protester at the beginning of the Gulf nation's political crisis in 2011.

The sentences are among the harshest against security forces for abuses in Bahrain's unrest, which has claimed more than 60 lives. Dozens of activists and others have received longer sentences, including life in prison.

Lawyer Manar Maki says the court found the two policemen guilty of torturing to death a protester in February 2011, shortly after Bahrain's majority Shiites began an uprising demanding greater political rights in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

Three other policemen were acquitted Tuesday in the case.

In separate charges, the same five policemen were cleared of allegations related to another protester death.