(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - On Saturday, police and pro-government supporters clashed with hundreds of mourners in Muharraq, north of the Bahraini capital of Manama, as they marched in the funeral of 24-year-old Yousif Muwali, who died Jan. 13 in controversial circumstances.
Muwali had gone missing Jan. 11th before his body was found on the sea shore. Authorities say he died after drowning at sea, while relatives contend that he died in police custody and later had his body dumped by the shore.
The body was released to the family Saturday morning, but the authorities declined to authorize a funeral march. Mourners attempted to march inside the graveyard, but clashes broke out as they tried to head from the graveyard to a near-by street.
The clashes, which initially broke out with pro-government thugs as they tried to lock the mourners in the graveyard, a sacred location for Muslims.
The clashes left several injuries and several cars of people taking part in the funeral were damaged. The vice chairman of the opposition grouping Ekha, Ali Yousif Qodrat, was detained by police after they stormed the graveyard firing tear-gas.
The police action was backed up by pro-government supporters armed with sticks and hurling rocks at mourners from various sides of the graveyard, before police finally stopped their assault but allowed them to remain in the vicinity and behind police lines.
Shortly after the clashes, several Shiite-owned businesses were vandalized by the pro-government supporters, in a repeat of the sectarian targeting seen in February and March of last year when the pro-reform protests broke-out.
Clashes were also reported in several areas across the small Persian Gulf island on Saturday, with tire-burning protests to demand the release of political detainees.
In November, a commission set up by Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa found that excessive force had been used against pro-reform protesters in a crack-down that began in mid-March with the introduction of martial law for almost three months, before being lifted.
Since the report's release, some proposed reforms had been pushed forward by the government, but the key demands of the protesters have not been addressed while scores of people remain detained or facing trials, including political and religious leaders, medics, and other professionals.
The death toll from protest-related also continued to mount, surpassing 61 so far since Feb. 14, with many in the opposition now vowing to re-ignite the large protests by the first anniversary if the demands of political reform are not met. Those include a constitutional monarchy with a fully elected legislature and government.
Hardliners in the opposition and on the street continue to call for bringing down the regime.
The opposition protests in Lulu roundabout, in the heart of the capital, have attracted massive turnout for a month, before the authorities moved in against them taking control of the site.
The protest site remains locked-down and guarded by heavy security with protesters regularly attempting to retake it unsuccessfully. Tight security presence also remains across most parts of the country, with several protests flaring up on an almost daily basis.
Pro-government supporters also have escalated their tone in recent weeks, with some demanding strict implementation of anti-protest laws and vowing to stand-up against opposition groups.
Bahraini mourner kicks a tear gas canister fired by police after funeral of Yousif in Muharraq, north of Manama
A Bahraini woman helps another who fell running from tear gas fired by riot police Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in the Muharraq, Bahrain, cemetery during the politically charged funeral of Yousif Mowali, 24. Authorities say Mowali drowned.
The riot police blocked the cemetery and didn't allowed the people to pass through the gate of the graveyard, so they passed the body over the fences
Riot police chase mourners after the funeral procession of Yousif Mowali in Muharraq, north of Manama
Mourners run from tear gas fired by riot police after funeral of Yousif Mowali in Muharraq, north Manama
Timber carrying thugs to attack the mourners from the cemetery near Muharraq
Tear gas fired by riot police drifts through the Muharraq cemetery Jan. 21, 2012, to disperse mourners.
Picture showing the direct and intentional targeting to protesters.
Picture shows a police car trying to run over a woman today.
A brave protester trying to rescue an arrested protester from the riot police cars
A Bahraini youth throws a tear gas canister back toward riot police who fired it in Muharraq cemetery
Bahraini mourners help a man injured when riot police fired tear gas in the cemetery 2 disperse the funeral of Yousif
Mourners react to tear gas fired by riot police in Muharraq cemetery during the funeral of Yousif Mowali
Bahraini youths react to tear gas fired by riot police in Muharraq cemetery during the funeral of Yousif Mowali
A Bahraini man runs from tear gas fired by riot police in Muharraq cemetery
Riot police supporting pro-gov thugs who attacks mourners at Muharraq cemerty
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