Bahraini teenagers wounded after grand prix given go-ahead

Three in hospital after sustaining injuries at a rally after the funeral of a man shot during an anti-government protest

Three teenagers were wounded in clashes with police at a rally following the funeral of a man shot during anti-government protests. Photograph: Mazen Mahdi/EPA

Three Bahraini teenagers were wounded at a post-funeral rally late on Friday, the country's opposition said, on the same day that Formula One organisers said the Bahrain grand prix scheduled for a week's time would go ahead.

Mohammed Abdul Aziz, 14, was wounded by what appeared to be shotgun pellets; Habib Sroor, 16, was injured in the arm and eye and Sadiq Riyad, 15, had severe head injuries, a representative of Wefaq, Bahrain's main opposition group, said on Saturday.

"He [Aziz] is stable. He is in Salmaniya ICU and his family met with him," said another Wefaq spokesman, referring to one of the main hospitals in Manama. The two others were in the same hospital.

A government official said that the information ministry was aware of the reports but could not verify any details.

They were apparently wounded during clashes between police and mourners at the funeral of a man shot during an anti-government protest two weeks ago.

The clashes took place hours after the FIA gave the green light for the Formula One event to go ahead. It was cancelled in Bahrain last year after a violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

Formula One's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone said earlier on Friday the race was "200 percent" certain to go ahead. "All the teams are happy to be there," he added. "There's nothing happening. I know people who live there and it's all very quiet and peaceful."

Bahrain's Sunni rulers are keen to stage a successful race as part of their efforts to show progress on reforms and reconciliation with the majority Shi'ite community after the protests last year, which were suppressed with the help of troops from neighbouring Saudi Arabia.                At stake for Bahrain at the race is not just the estimated 100,000 visitors and $500 million generated the last time the Formula One event was held, but the nation's prestige.

Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa initiated the race in 2004, the first in the Middle East, and is also its honorary president.

Just after Friday's decision by the FIA, Bahrain International Circuit said it was ready to hold the race and that the "the security situation in Bahrain is suitable for the staging of a major sporting event." It was unclear whether the reported injuries would have any impact on the Formula One organisers' decision. Race officials, who are in Shanghai for the Chinese grand prix this weekend, were not immediately available for comment.

Last year's race was delayed, then cancelled, after mostly Shi'ite pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets demanding a greater say in government and better access to jobs, housing and opportunities.

Also weighing on a tense situation is the health of jailed rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on hunger strike for two months.