Bahrain policeman jailed for protester's death
2 February BBC
A Bahraini police officer has been jailed for seven years for killing
of an anti-government protester.Ali Abdulhadi al-Mushaima died on the 14
February 2011, the first fatality in a wave of unrest that swept the
Gulf island kingdom.
Mr Mushaima was hit at close range by birdshot in the Sanabis
district of the capital city Manama.His family say that he was standing
outside his home when the officer opened fire without provocation.
The police version of the incident states that the officer, who has
not been named by the authorities, fired in self-defence.ÓIn dealing
with one of the instances of rioting in the area, the accused fired from
a birdshot gun, injuring the victim with wounds that claimed his life,"
Nawaf Hamza, head of the Public Prosecution's Special Investigation
Unit, was quoted as saying.
A second man died the following day when police used tear gas and
stun grenades to disperse protesters at Mr Mushaima's funeral.That
police operation to clear protesters from the iconic Pearl Roundabout on
17 February 2011 led to further deaths.
Protests have continued since. At least 60 people have died and
hundreds more have been injured.
Several prominent pro-democracy activists and political leaders are
in jail sentenced to terms ranging from five years to life on charges of
plotting the overthrow of the government.
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