Situation remains tense in Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The situation was tense in Bahrain when Shiites erupted in anger after the mysterious death of a 14-year-old boy early this week, witnesses claim.

Ali Jawad al-Sheik collapsed and later died early this week. Witnesses speaking to CNN said he collapsed after getting hit with a tear-gas round fired by police. An autopsy, according to the Bahrain News Agency, showed no sign of tear gas exposure but suggested he did suffer a major spinal cord injury.

Shiite protesters later were reported clashing with security forces and pro-democracy activist Zainad Alkhawaja told the news service the situation on the streets was tense.

"People are more upset and angry than I've seen at (a) funeral here before -- I think because he was so young," she was quoted as saying.

Bahrain was criticized for the way it handled a Shiite uprising early this year but was later praised for advancing some reforms.

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said his agency was about cases that may involve prisoners of conscience in Bahrain.

Human rights groups have accused the ruling Sunni minority in Bahrain of using state hospitals as torture chambers.