Anti-Bovernment protesters demonstrate in Manam near Bahrain's royal palace on March 11, 2011. On Sunday, Bahrain carried out its first execution since the 2011 uprising and protesters took to the streets overnight. File photo by Isa Ebrahim/UPI | License Photo

MANAMA, Bahrain, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Demonstrators set fire to a city hall early Monday morning after three men were executed for their role in a bombing that killed three police officers.

Bahrain's interior ministry said the fire at Northern City Hall appeared intentional.


The ministry posted on Twitter, "Civil Defence extinguished a fire in the Northern Municipality building. Initial details indicate that foul play was behind the fire. Necessary measures were undertaken."

The Shia opposition has called the execution of Abbas al-Samea, 27, Sami Mushaima, 42, and Ali al-Singace, 21, politically motivated and said they were tortured. Seven others received life sentences.

Hundreds of protesters participated in demonstrations Sunday, blocking roads with burning tires. The Bahrain police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds as demonstrators threw fire bombs.

In Sanabis, the hometown of the three executed men, security forces blocked demonstrators from reaching the main street.

It was the first executions by firing squad in Bahrain in six years.