Sadly we bring news of more trouble in Bahrain, less than three weeks from its scheduled return to the Formula One calendar. UK newspaper The Telegraph reports of a youth being killed by Bahraini police after being shot in the leg while protesting in the Shia village of Salmabad.
While ESPN F1 says the fatal shot was fired from a civilian vehicle following closely behind police.
The victim’s family are refusing to sign the 22-year-old’s death certificate as they dispute the official cause of death, which does not list the shooting.
“We will receive his body when they change the report. The police have pressured us to take him, but we said no,” the victim’s sister claimed.
A video statement posted online says: “We (object to) holding a sports race that belittles the sacrifices of our children and ignores our suffering and wounds.
“Do not tarnish the reputation of the respected auto sport with the blood of Bahrain victims.”
Protestors continue to communicate their views to the world via twitter using #BloodyF1 and #NoF1 hashtags.
It’s understood an increased security campaign is being mounted by race officials to protect the Bahrain International Circuit and hotels accommodating F1 teams free from protesters.
Protesters are promising to disrupt the race any way they can and will target the circuit and central Manama to voice their concerns.
[Source: The Telegraph & ESPN F1 | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
3 replies on “Reports of protest death in Bahrain ahead of Grand Prix”
Makes you feel a little more lucky to live in this country….
Indeed it does. I recall seeing some footage of a helicopter firing live rounds on a TV cameraman when this trouble was at its peak a year or two ago. It’s a nasty regime in Bahrain and in my view F1 should stay well away from them. Two races at Spa please. 😀
[…] good. He’s aware that civilians are getting shot by police and fighting back with home-made bombs, […]