MANAMA, Bahrain, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Protesters clashed with security forces in Bahrain a day after the funeral of a teenager activists say police killed, The New York Times reported.
The demonstration on a highway west of the capital city of Manama Friday appeared to be among the biggest in months based on video posted online by Shiite activists, the Times said.
The Interior Ministry said security forces had come to clear the area and blamed "vandals" for blocking the highway after the funeral of a teenager who activists say was killed Thursday by birdshot -- used to contain crowds.
An image posted by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights showed the victim, identified by authorities as Ahmed Jaber, 16, had small, round wounds to his chest. He had been involved in a protest near the capital. The Interior Ministry said it would investigate, the state news agency said.
Online video images from Friday's protest show mourners, members of Bahrain's Shiite majority, carrying Bahrain flags, pumping their fists and chanting slogans against the Sunni-led government, the Times said.
Police began using tear gas and sound grenades after the funeral, and there were reports of gunfire. Al-Jazeera said at least four people were injured in the clashes.
In late August, a 14-year-old boy witnesses said was hit in the chest by a tear gas canister died as security forces broke up a small protest south of the capital in Sitra.
The Times noted Friday's clashes came days after the Bahrain government appeared to soften its approach in dealing with anti-government protesters. Bahrain's top prosecutor nullified prison terms given last week to 20 medical workers accused of anti-government activities. The medical workers are free pending retrials. Their sentences, ranging from five to 15 years, had drawn international condemnation.
