1 Apr 2012

Protester shot in Bahrain demonstration dies

9:02 am on 1 April 2012

A Bahraini man has died after being shot during an anti-government march.

Relatives of the man and members of the opposition are blaming the death on what they describe as loyalist militia members.

The government's media arm, known as the Bahrain Information Affairs Authority, has confirmed that Ahmed Ismail, 22, bled to death after being shot on Friday.

Mohammed bu Daniel says his cousin was taking pictures of a demonstration when what he described as "militia members" in an unmarked car opened fire on him.

Bahrain's main opposition party Al-Wefaq says civilian patrols were present with armed militias, and one of the people in one of the cars fired live rounds into the protesters and into the air.

The Information Affairs Authority says the case will be investigated as murder.