Death of Ahmed Jaber al-Qattan

Ahmed Jaber Ali al-Qattan
Personal photo for Ahmed Jaber al-Qattan
Born	أحمد جابر علي القطّان Shakoora, Bahrain
Died	6 October 2011 Abu Saiba, Bahrain
Resting place	Shakoora, Bahrain
Residence	Shakoora, Bahrain
Nationality	Bahraini
Known for	2011 Bahraini uprising
Religion	Muslim

Ahmed Jaber Ali al-Qattan (Arabic: أحمد جابر علي القطّان‎) was a 16 or 17-year-old Bahraini teenager who died in a hospital on 6 October 2011 after reportedly being hit in chest, abdomen and upper limb by bird pellet gunshots (prohibited against humans internationally) fired by Bahraini security forces^[1] during the 2011 Bahraini uprising. Ministry of Interior stated that there was a gathering of 20 people in Abu Saiba who blocked the roads and police men intervened to disperse them as authorized.^[2] Activists, however, began a series of large protests after his funeral.

Background

Further information: 2011 Bahraini uprising

As part of a string of protests that occurred across the Arab World following the self-immolation and eventual death of Mohammed Bouazizi in Tunisia, the mostly Shia population of Bahrain took to the streets demanding greater freedoms.^[3] The move was seen as potentially destabilising to the Sunni-led regime of Bahrain, following which a brutal government crackdown led to widespread suppressions of the Shia people across many sectors,^[4] epecially the medical field after the invasion of Bahrain by Gulf Cooperation Council soldiers led by Saudi Arabia.^[5] The Bahraini government also hired Pakistani mercenaries to maintain security against the protesters, however, lesser intermittent protests continued.^[6]

Age

Al Wefaq, the country's largest opposition party, and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights gave the boy's age as 16; the government put his age at 17.^[7]

Death

A number of protesters took part in a demonstration in Abu Saiba, Bahrain which started on late night of 6 October. The government's Information Affairs Authority said the area where Jaber was in, Abu Saiba, west of Manama, saw clashes that evening. It said youths blocked roads and set fire to rubbish bins and police fired tear gas and sound grenades when they were attacked with rocks and petrol bombs.^[8]

An anonymous witness who was protesting with Ahmed said in an interview with Bahrain Mirror (opposition online newspaper): "We were 70 protesters and Ahmed was in the front, we were ambushed by security forces. They were standing only 10 meters away from us, they didn't use tear gas or rubber bullets, they used bird pellet gunshots directly. Ahmed was injured in the chest and another protester who was behind him injured in the abdomen. He was trying to protect protesters behind him, we ran back to hide. Ahmed ran for a short distance then fell, he called his friend "Ahmed, hold me, I want to breathe". Those were his last words". He added: "A young protester was hiding behind a building rushed to Ahmed as he fell and carried him. With other protesters we carried him through farms to avoid being chased by police. At first we didn't know what to do, so I tweeted specific people like Al Wefaq and some human rights activists. The first to respond was Yousif Al-Mahafdha (member of BCHR) who contacted some medics. Medics came, but they found no pulse and requested taking Ahmed to a hospital. At Bahrain International hospital (located in Jidhafs area of the capital, and sits along Budaiya Highway) medics from the hospital attached medical instruments to Ahmed and after 15 minutes announced that he is dead and asked us to leave fast to avoid arrest. Human rights activist Yousif Al-Mahafdha was the first to announce the death of Ahmed from Bahrain international hospital."^[9]

Ahmed Jaber al-Qattan body at the bather before his funeral.

After his death, Ahmed's body was moved to Bahrain International hospital where he was initially examined. Later it was moved to Salmaniya hospital morgue for an autopsy.^[10] Ahmed's older brother was told by young male to attend at Bahrain International hospital. At the hospital, without explaining anything to his bother, Ahmed's body was taken to Salmaniya hospital morgue. For 20 minutes Ahmed's brother was stopped by security forces from getting into the morgue where Ahmed's body was. After a while he tried again, but this time a National Security Agency officer yelled at him. When Ahmed's brother explained that he's only trying to see his brother's body and security shouldn't act this way. The officer responded with "I'm a soldier and I can do whatever I want with you right now if you don't stop attempting to get in". Later, a policeman in civilian clothes spoke to the family. He told them that Ahmed died a natural death, his chest doesn't contain bird pellet gunshots and that his body is completely clean from any injures. Then he asked the family to bring him some of Ahmed's clothes in order to investigate the cause of his death. The Family wasn't allowed to see the body until next morning when they received it.^[9]

Fortunately for the family, one of the lawyers responded to their cries on Twitter and came along with a lawyer from Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. Security forces allowed Al-jeshy and his companion to enter the morgue, where the Public Prosecutor announced that the direct cause of death was due to injury by bird pellet gunshots which went through Ahmed's body into his heart and caused a severe bleeding.^[9]

Aftermath

At first ministry of interior stated that Ahmed Jaber died from severe respiratory and blood flow problems after he was received in hospital without saying what caused this.^[2][8] In another statement the ministry stated that they're launching an investigation into the incident after the report of the medical examiner of the Public Prosecution attributed the death to injury by bird pellet gunshots, but have not described under what circumstance Jaber was fatally wounded. The statement said that legal procedures would be taken according to the results of the investigation.^[11][12] Moreover, Bahrain News Agency, an official governmental website said that Ahmed died by police birdshot.^[1]

On 8 October, two days after Ahmed's death, Nawaf Al-Awadi, the attorney general of the northern governorate stated that police did not use bird pellet gunshots while depressing protesters in Abu Saiba that night and that the gunshots found in Ahmed's body do not match those used by Ministry of Interior. Al-Awadi also stated that the investigations are still on-going to find the persons who carried the body to the hospital to investigate with them.^[13][14]

Shi'ite activists said Jaber died from bird-shot pellets and distributed a photo of his body in a morgue. "(He) was shot by the security forces at close proximity during a protest with the pellet shotgun, which seems to have penetrated his heart and/or lung and caused his death," said Maryam Alkhawaja of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) in a statement.^[8] Al Wefaq party, the biggest shia opposition party said in a statement: "Security forces have killed the boy Ahmed al-Qattan after shooting him with the internationally prohibited pellet shotgun (..) many people who are injured due to use of force by security forces are afraid to go to hospitals, because they might be arrested there."^[15]

Funeral and protests

External videos
	Ahmed Jaber al-Qattan funeral on YouTube

The funeral procession was held afternoon on 7 October. Security forces sat up roadblocks to prevent people from attending the funeral,^[7] yet thousands of people attended the funeral which is thought to be one of the largest in months.^[16] At least 10,000 people joined the funeral march for Qattan through the villages of Shakoora, Janusan and Karana, many carrying the red and white flags of Bahrain^[16] and chanting, "We will redeem you, Bahrain" and "Down with Hamad," a reference to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, whose family has ruled the island monarchy for nearly 200 years. Qattan was to be buried in Shakoora, his home town.^[17]

After the funeral hundreds of mourners marched towards Burgerland roundabout where police forces were present heavily. Security forces opened fire with tear gas, sound grenades and rubber bullets, injuring at least 11 protesters, activists said. A few people in the crowd threw stones at the authorities.^[7] More injuries were expected, though the chaotic scene around a makeshift clinic near the clashes made it impossible to verify the number, Al Jazeera's reporter in Bahrain said.^[17] Al Jazeera correspondent witnessed three men bearing bleeding wounds thought to have been caused by rubber bullets, while another man had suffered a severe facial injury after being hit by a sound grenade.^[17] by night calm had been restored to the capital.^[7] Ministry of Interior said "A group of vandals blocked Budaiya road after funeral of Ahmed Jaber, which led to interference of security forces to bring situation to normal".^[18]

On 10 October, 3 days after Ahmed's funeral, where the final mourning rituals were supposed to be held in Shakoora, security forces blocked all the roads leading to Shakoora to prevent people from participating in the mourning rituals. Al Jazeera reported that security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets on tens of protesters who were trying to start a demonstration after the end of mourning rituals and that some protesters were arrested.^[19]

Local and International responses

• Former Al Wefaq MP Matar Matar said that: "There was a great sense of outrage today. The government claims they will investigate the death and that an independent commission of monitors has been formed, but the injuries and deaths continue to happen. Woman and children must be careful." ^[7] The party issued a statement reading: "The martyrdom of young Jaber falls under the systematic oppression of those demanding democracy in Bahrain."^[17]

• Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, said: "The tragic death of Ahmed al-Jaber al-Qatan must be independently investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice. If it is found that security forces have opened fire on peaceful protesters when they were not in a life threatening situation, that would be yet again another unacceptable case of excessive use of force."^[20]

See also

• Death of Ali Jawad al-Sheikh
• Death of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima
• Death of Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Staff writer (7 October 2011). "Immediate Investigation into Ahmed Al Jaber's Death Ordered". Bahrain News Agency. http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/475660. Retrieved 9 October 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Staff writer (7 October 2011). "تصريح مدير عام مديرية شرطة المحافظة الشمالية حول وفاة أحمد جابر". Bahrain News Agency. http://www.bna.bh/portal/news/475651. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
3. ^ Staff writer (14 February 2011). "Bahrain Activists in 'Day of Rage' – Anti-Government Protests in Shia Villages Around the Capital Leave Several People Injured and One Person Reported Dead". Al-Jazeera English. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011214925802473.html. Retrieved 20 September 2011. 
4. ^ Cockburn, Patrick (18 March 2011). "The Footage That Reveals the Brutal Truth About Bahrain's Crackdown – Seven Protest Leaders Arrested as Video Clip Highlights Regime's Ruthless Grip on Power". The Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
5. ^ Staff writer (15 March 2011). "Bahrain King Declares State of Emergency after Protests". BBC News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12745608. Retrieved 20 September 2011. 
6. ^ Nadir Hassan (17 March 2011). "Meddling in Bahrain’s internal affairs". The Express Tribune. http://tribune.com.pk/story/133492/meddling-in-bahrains-internal-affairs/. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d e} CNN Wire Staff (8 October 2011). "Bahrain announces investigation into death of teen protester". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/07/world/meast/bahrain-protests/index.html?iref=allsearch. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
8. ^ ^{a b c} Andrew Hammond (7 October 2011). "Bahrain youth dies after clash with police". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-bahrain-youth-idUSTRE7960YS20111007. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
9. ^ ^{a b c} Staff writer (8 October 2011). "الشهيد أحمد القطان: أريد أن أتنفس". Bahrain Mirror. http://bhmirror.org/article.php?id=1984&cid=74&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Bahrain. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
10. ^ Staff writer (7 October 2011). "Bahrain teenager dies in Manama protests". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15219991. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
11. ^ Staff writer (7 October 2011). "MOI launches investigation over the death of Bahraini Ahmed Jaber". Bahrain Ministry of Interior. http://www.policemc.gov.bh/en/news_details.aspx?type=1&articleId=9557. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
12. ^ Staff writer (7 October 2011). "وزارة الداخلية :فتح تحقيق لمعرفة ملابسات وفاة أحمد جابر". Bahrain News Agency. http://www.bna.bh/portal/news/475655. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
13. ^ Staff writer (8 October 2011). "النيابة تؤكد عدم تطابق طلقات الشوزن بجثة المتوفى مع طلقات الداخلية". Al Ayam newspaper. http://www.alayam.com/newsdetails.aspx?id=18040. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
14. ^ Staff writer (8 October 2011). "النيابة العامة: عدم تطابق طلقات الشوزن بجثة القطان مع طلقات الداخلية". Al-Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3318/news/read/599859/1.html. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
15. ^ Staff writer (6 October 2011). "استشهاد فتى بحريني على يد قوات الأمن". Al Wefaq official website. http://www.alwefaq.net/index.php?show=news&action=article&id=5923. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
16. ^ ^{a b} J. DAVID GOODMAN (7 October 2011). "Bahrain Protesters Clash With Police Near Capital After Teenager’s Funeral". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/08/world/middleeast/protesters-clash-with-police-in-bahrain.html?_r=2. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
17. ^ ^{a b c d} Staff writer (8 October 2011). "Police clash with mourners in Bahrain". Al Jazeera. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/10/20111071362401501.html?utm_content=automateplus&utm_campaign=Trial6&utm_source=SocialFlow&utm_term=tweets&utm_medium=MasterAccount. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
18. ^ Staff writer (8 October 2011). "Group of vandals blocked Budaiya RD after funeral of Ahmed Jaber, this led to interference of security forces to bring situation to normal". Bahrain ministry of interior twitter account. http://twitter.com/#!/moi_bahrain/status/122323400294285313. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
19. ^ Staff writer (11 October 2011). "معارضة البحرين: لا لإسقاط النظام". Al Jazeera. http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/93CA4EA6-141A-4ABA-AB53-FAD10F6CC370.htm?GoogleStatID=9. Retrieved 13 October 2011. 
20. ^ Staff writer (7 October 2011). "Death of teenage Bahrain protester must be fully investigated". Amnesty International. http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/death-teenage-bahrain-protester-must-be-fully-investigated-2011-10-07. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 

Persondata
Name
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth	Shakoora, Bahrain
Date of death	6 October 2011
Place of death	Abu Saiba, Bahrain