Bahrain activists blame security forces for death of 14-year-old boy during protest
\nBy Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, August 31, 5:44 AM <\/p>\n
MANAMA, Bahrain \u2014 Bahraini security forces clashed with anti-government protesters after Wednesday morning prayers, killing a 14-year-old boy who died after being hit by a police tear gas canister, human rights activists said.<\/p>\n
The activists blamed the police for the death of Ali Jawad Ahmad, who was among the crowd of protesters in the oil hub of Sitra.<\/p>\n
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights cited witnesses as saying the boy died after being hit by a tear gas canister fired at close range by police during the demonstration.<\/p>\n
Bahraini officials confirmed a 14-year-old lost his life but gave no other details on the possible cause of death. A statement by the Interior Ministry said there was no reported police action in Sitra at the time the boy\u2019s death was reported.<\/p>\n
It said an investigation was ordered into the death.<\/p>\n
Isa Hassan, an uncle of the dead teen, claimed police overreacted when confronted by a small group of protesters after morning prayers marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.<\/p>\n
Hassan said the tear gas was fired from about 21 feet (seven meters) away directly at the protesters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are supposed to lob the canisters of gas, not shoot them at people,\u201d he said at the funeral for the boy. \u201cPolice used it as a weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bahrain has been gripped by ongoing clashes between police and Shiite-led protesters demanding greater rights and political freedoms in the tiny Gulf nation that is the home of the U.S. Navy\u2019s 5th Fleet.<\/p>\n
More than 30 people have been killed since protests began in February inspired by other uprisings across the Arab world.<\/p>\n
Shiites are the majority in Bahrain but claim widespread discrimination by the ruling Sunni dynasty. Sunni rulers in the Gulf fear any concessions by Bahrain\u2019s Al Khalifa family to protesters would strengthen the region\u2019s Shiite powerhouse Iran.<\/p>\n
Small-scale clashes between police and mostly Shiite demonstrators have become a near nightly event in the tense Gulf nation since authorities lifted emergency rule in June. …source<\/a><\/p>\n