Bahraini police clashes with protesting youths, one dead

A youth died Thursday evening during a clash between the Bahraini police and a group of protesting youths. According to the Bahraini Interior Ministry, about 20 youths gathered in the Abu Saiba area in the country's capital Manama, blocking roads and setting fire to rubbish bins. "When the police arrived on the scene, they were attacked with Molotov cocktails and rocks. Police responded with tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd," the ministry said. Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, Bahrain's largest opposition group, said Friday on its website that Ahmed Jaber Al-Qattan, a 16- year-old youth, was killed during the clash. "Ahmed received shotguns at his chest from a sort of weaponry used for catching birds," Al-Wefaq said. The Interior Ministry confirmed Ahmed's death on Friday, but attributed the death to cardiac arrest. The youth was taken to the hospital Thursday evening, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him, the ministry said. The Northern Governorate Directorate at the Interior Ministry said the Public Prosecution had ordered to transfer the deceased to the state-run Salmaniya Medical Complex for an autopsy and a full investigation into the case had been launched. Bahrain was hit by a wave of anti-government protests earlier this year and is still witnessing sporadic protests. Al-Wefaq blamed the security authorities for their aggressive approach to rein the increasing street protests.