Bahrain man 'shot dead' at protester's funeral Published duration 15 February 2011

media caption BBC's Philip Hampsheir says tear gas was fired at protesters in Bahrain during Monday's protests

A Bahraini man has been killed at the funeral for a protester who died on Monday in clashes with security forces during anti-government demonstrations.

The man was reportedly shot dead when security forces clashed with mourners as the funeral was beginning.

Monday's protests in Bahrain coincided with rallies in Yemen and Iran inspired by the toppling of Egypt's government.

Bahrain's Shia majority has long demanded more political rights from the Sunni monarchy.

The Shia opposition bloc Wefaq said on Tuesday it would boycott parliament in protest at the two deaths.

Second death

The interior ministry said it had launched an investigation into the death of the mourner outside the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Manama, Bahrain's capital.

image copyright (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

"Fadel Salman Matrouk was shot by a hollow-point bullet in front of Salmaniya hospital where people had gathered for the funeral of the first martyr," Shia opposition member of parliament Khalil al-Marzooq told AFP news agency.

Officials at the hospital told Associated Press news agency that a 31-year-old man had died from injuries from bird shot fired during the clashes outside the hospital.

A crowd had gathered for the funeral of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima, who was killed in clashes on Monday with police in the village of Daih, east of Manama.

"They were dispersed with tear gas close to the hospital and then gathered again," another Shia opposition MP, Ibrahim Mattar, told Reuters news agency.

On Monday, protesters clashed with police as they marched on Manama to demand greater political rights.

Bahrain has been hit by sporadic unrest for decades as Shias - who make up 70% of the country's 530,000 citizens - press for greater political power.