Bahraini Police Attacks Martyr Funeral

The teenager was killed when he was struck on the head by a tear-gas canister fired from close range.

Thousands of opposition supporters carrying Bahraini flags and chanting anti-government slogans converged on the island of Sitra, south of the capital Manama, to mourn the death of Sayed Hashim Saeed. They demanded that police be tried for the deaths of some 40 people since protests began in February.

Police earlier tried to seal off the site of the funeral to prevent crowds from gathering.

The clash on Sitra marks the latest burst of violence in more than 10 months of confrontations and widespread street protests on the strategic Persian Gulf island nation, which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet. The nation is demanding ouster of the Al-Khalifa monarchy.

On Sunday a resident in the village of Sitra, south of the capital Manama, said the police attacked the mourners during the funeral, using rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades."

At least one demonstrator was wounded after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister, activists said in Twitter messages.

Jaffer al-Sheik, 40, who identified himself as a relative of Saeed, said after the funeral that the boy died while participating in a protest march. He said the canister fired by riot police caused burns on Saeed's chest arm and head.

Confrontations between security forces and protesters take place almost on a daily basis.

More than 40 people have been killed and over 1600 others have been arrested since the uprising started in February last year.

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Source: Fars News Agency

The teenager was killed when he was struck on the head by a tear-gas canister fired from close range. Thousands of opposition supporters carrying Bahraini flags and chanting anti-government slogans converged on the island of Sitra, south of the capital Manama, to mourn the death of Sayed Hashim Saeed. They demanded that police be tried for the deaths of some 40 people since protests began in February. Police earlier tried to seal off the site of the funeral to prevent crowds from gathering. The clash on Sitra marks the latest burst of violence in more than 10 months of confrontations and widespread street protests on the strategic Persian Gulf island nation, which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet. The nation is demanding ouster of the Al-Khalifa monarchy. On Sunday a resident in the village of Sitra, south of the capital Manama, said the police attacked the mourners during the funeral, using rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades." At least one demonstrator was wounded after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister, activists said in Twitter messages. Jaffer al-Sheik, 40, who identified himself as a relative of Saeed, said after the funeral that the boy died while participating in a protest march. He said the canister fired by riot police caused burns on Saeed's chest arm and head. Confrontations between security forces and protesters take place almost on a daily basis. More than 40 people have been killed and over 1600 others have been arrested since the uprising started in February last year. The End Source: Fars News Agency