Cause of Bahrain protester death unclear

SITRA, Bahrain, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Security officials in Bahrain denied their forces caused the death of a teenager killed in a New Year's Eve clash in the town of Sitra.

Opposition leaders said Syed Hasheem Saeed Eisa, 15, was shot at close range by police; however, the director of the region said Sunday Syed Hasheem's injuries did not include bullet wounds and were not indicative of tear gas either.

"The deceased had sustained severe burns on various parts of his body and an injury to his neck," he said. "Tear gas does not cause the type of burns that were observed on the body of the deceased."

The official told Gulf News government prosecutors were investigating the death, which occurred as roving bands of troublemakers looted and battled riot police.

The trouble broke out in an area south of the capital Manama in the wake of a major government report on the civil unrest that broke out nearly a year ago, which Gulf News said contained little in the way of proposed reforms.