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The three were accused of disclosing sensitive information to Qatar that could jeopardize Bahrain's security in exchange for financial compensation. The official news agency said the prosecutors had presented recorded phone conversations as evidence.
Last year, Bahraini national television aired the recorded calls between Mr. Salman and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al-Thani, then prime minister of Qatar, during the 2011 protests.
Mr Alaswad, who has been living in London since 2011, told Reuters that the prosecutor had used secret witnesses and a video from a Bahraini television channel, described by the experts as editorial and incomplete.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, Bahrain last year imposed a boycott in Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and cooperating with the United States. # 39; Iran. Qatar denies the charges, saying they are an attempt to undermine its sovereignty.
Since the Bahraini authorities cracked down on street demonstrations in 2011, protesters have frequently clashed with security forces, who have been the target of bomb attacks. Manama said Qatar supports the unrest, accusations denied by Doha.
Salman, who is in his 50s, has long been targeted by the Bahraini government. In 1994, he was arrested, allegedly tortured and detained for months without trial before being deported and forced to live in exile for more than 15 years, according to the United Nations.
He is currently serving a four-year sentence on which he has insulted the Ministry of the Interior, which oversees the police; incited others to break the law; and incited hatred against naturalized Sunni citizens, many of whom serve in Bahrain's security forces.
Brian Dooley, a senior advisor to Human Rights First, said Sunday's decision "confirms that there is no longer any tolerance for any dissent in Bahrain".
