Rights Group: Bahrain Must Ensure Accountability for Child Killed during Protest
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – UK-based rights group Amnesty International urged the Bahraini regime to launch an independent probe into the death of a child reportedly killed by the regime forces in a demonstration earlier this week.
“Amnesty International today called on the Bahraini authorities to launch a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the death of a boy who was reportedly shot by security forces as they were dispersing a protest,” the human rights group said in a statement on Friday.
“The organization has urged the Bahraini authorities to ensure the investigation is transparent, that its results are made public and that anyone found responsible is brought to justice,” the statement added.
Sayed Mahmood Sayed Mohsen, 14, was shot at close range with a shotgun by regime forces during a funeral procession in Sitra Island, south of the capital Manama, on Wednesday.
Photos taken of the victim show him severely bleeding due to the lethal injury caused by the use of shotgun, which is an internationally prohibited weapon.
The family of Sayed Mohsen told Amnesty International that when they saw his body at the hospital it had injuries to his chest that appeared to have been caused by gunshot pellets. They were told he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
A copy of the death certificate obtained by the family states that the death of Sayed Mohsen was caused by shotgun pellet injuries to the lungs, heart and the bowels.
Shortly after the death of Sayed Mohsen, the Ministry of Interior announced on its website that the police were attacked with Molotov cocktails and iron rods during a riot following a funeral procession in Sitra.
The teenager is the latest in a string of protesters killed by Bahraini regime forces for taking part in pro-democracy protest rallies.
According to the Bahraini opposition groups, over 160 people have been killed by Al Khalifah regime forces since the outbreak of the popular protests more than three years ago.
Scores of people have been injured and many others put behind bars by regime forces.
The protesters demand the downfall of Al Khalifah regime and want the establishment of a democratically elected government in the tiny Persian Gulf state.
Pro-democracy rallies are held in Bahrain almost on a regular basis in defiance of the deadly crackdown by Al Khalifah regime.
