A Bahraini protester who was hit last week by a rubber bullet during a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Manama died Sunday, hospital officials said.
Mohammed Juma Ahmed Ali, 24, was one of two people admitted to Sulmaniyah Hospital in Manama with critical injuries after Friday's protest by about 10,000 people over U.S. support for Israel.
Ali, who worked at the hospital as a cleaner, died of injuries he suffered during the protest, a hospital official said on condition of anonymity. He did not specify the cause of death.
The demonstration was called to oppose Israel's military offensive in the West Bank and what is seen as America's blind support for Israel. One group of protesters held a banner demanding that U.S. forces leave Bahrain, that is home to the base of the U.S. 5th Fleet.
The demonstration turned into a riot, with protesters hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails into the embassy grounds and setting a satellite dish and a sentry box on fire. According to AP, Police guarding the embassy tried to disperse the rioters with tear gas and rubber bullets, and Ali was hit in the head by a rubber bullet and was taken away bleeding profusely.
About 90 relatives and friends gathered at the hospital Sunday and escorted Ali's body from the main building to the hospital mortuary. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
