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Bahrain policeman killed in unrest Bahrain policeman killed in unrest
(about 4 hours later)
A Bahraini police officer has been killed as protests and violence continue in the Gulf kingdom.A Bahraini police officer has been killed as protests and violence continue in the Gulf kingdom.
The interior ministry reported the officer's death late on Thursday night.The interior ministry reported the officer's death late on Thursday night.
The death was Thursday's second. In the morning a 16-year-old protester died after police shot him in the stomach. Several others were reportedly wounded.The death was Thursday's second. In the morning a 16-year-old protester died after police shot him in the stomach. Several others were reportedly wounded.
The protests were held to mark the second anniversary of the start of demonstrations against the rule of the country's Sunni royal family.The protests were held to mark the second anniversary of the start of demonstrations against the rule of the country's Sunni royal family.
On Friday thousands of anti-government marchers blocked a major road, the Boudaya highway, leading into the capital Manama. For a second day clashes broke out between security forces and protesters.
Peaceful activists are growing increasingly concerned that militant young Bahrainis are hijacking the protest movement. One activist told the BBC: "We want peaceful demonstrations where women, children and older people can make a protest and be safe. The violence is hijacking what we are trying to do."
But masked Shia youth armed with petrol bombs and projectiles are launching more and more attacks on the police. One observer who asked not to be named described them as "very aggressive and fanatical". When asked what they want, the observer said, the radical young protesters say they want to "kick out the regime and bring in a republic".
The increasing radicalisation is creating a major dilemma for al-Wefaq, the main opposition society. The government accuses it of not doing enough to curb the violence. Al-Wefaq, together with other opposition societies has, issued statements condemning violence.
Police chief Tariq Hassan al-Hassan said that the police officer, Mohammed Asif, died after being struck by a projectile.Police chief Tariq Hassan al-Hassan said that the police officer, Mohammed Asif, died after being struck by a projectile.
"While Asif and several other police officers were securing roads a group of rioters attacked with Molotov cocktails, steel rods and stones.""While Asif and several other police officers were securing roads a group of rioters attacked with Molotov cocktails, steel rods and stones."
He called it an "unprovoked attack".He called it an "unprovoked attack".
The protests and violence come as the government and opposition start a national dialogue aimed at easing the country's crisis. The majority Shia community in Bahrain is pressing for greater political rights.The protests and violence come as the government and opposition start a national dialogue aimed at easing the country's crisis. The majority Shia community in Bahrain is pressing for greater political rights.
On 14 February 2011, peaceful protesters took over an iconic Bahraini monument, Pearl Roundabout. Three days later security forces cleared the site using tear gas, batons and birdshot. At least two protesters died and hundreds were injured.On 14 February 2011, peaceful protesters took over an iconic Bahraini monument, Pearl Roundabout. Three days later security forces cleared the site using tear gas, batons and birdshot. At least two protesters died and hundreds were injured.
As violence escalated 35 people, including five police officers, were killed, hundreds more were hurt and thousands jailed in February and March 2011.As violence escalated 35 people, including five police officers, were killed, hundreds more were hurt and thousands jailed in February and March 2011.
The vast majority were Shia Muslims in a country ruled by a minority Sunni royal family.The vast majority were Shia Muslims in a country ruled by a minority Sunni royal family.
Since then, opposition and human rights activists say another 45 people have been killed, a figure which the government disputes.Since then, opposition and human rights activists say another 45 people have been killed, a figure which the government disputes.
Although many people have been released, 13 activists and politicians including the leader of the secular Waad party, Ibrahim Sharif, remain in jail.Although many people have been released, 13 activists and politicians including the leader of the secular Waad party, Ibrahim Sharif, remain in jail.
They have been convicted and in some cases given life sentences on evidence that is widely accepted to have been obtained under torture.They have been convicted and in some cases given life sentences on evidence that is widely accepted to have been obtained under torture.