Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter VI — Allegations of Human Rights Violations Against the Person
Case No. 43 - Ahmed Jaber Al Qattan 542
1065. On 6 October 2011, Mr Ahmed Jaber Al Qattan was pronounced
dead. The death certificate states that the cause of death was shotgun injuries
to the chest area, which resulted in shotgun pellets entering his heart and
lungs.
1066. The MoI has stated that there were no police in the area during the
time of the incident and that the projectiles used are not of a type used by riot
police.
Case No. 44 - Ali Jawad Alsheikh 543
1067. On the morning of 31 August 2011, Mr Ali Jawad Alsheikh was
pronounced dead. The death certificate states that the cause of death was a
fractured spine, internal bleeding and shock.
1068. The forensic report of the Commission found that the deceased’s
injuries were consistent with the deceased being struck by an unexploded tear
gas canister fired at short range. The report concluded that the injuries were
more consistent with a strike from a canister than from beatings.
1069. The MoI conducted an autopsy on the basis of which they compiled a
forensic report. 544 According to the MoI report, the deceased died as a result
of a serious blow to the back of the neck (blunt trauma), which resulted in a
blood clot forming in the brain. The report indicates that the markings on the
deceased’s neck are not consistent with being hit by a tear gas canister or
rubber bullet; the markings were too large and suggest that he was hit with a
larger object. The MoI report also states that there was no evidence of tear
gas inhalation.
1070. The Commission received information that the deceased went to
prayers at around 08:30 on the Eid holiday. He then went to Street No. 1,
where he began protesting with a number of other persons. Witnesses stated
that they saw a police officer standing out of the top window of the jeep,
holding a tear gas gun, about 100 metres away. The protesters were then
chased and ran in different directions. One individual was hit with a tear gas
canister. Witnesses stated that they heard three shots and they believe that one
of these shots hit the deceased. Another witness who was in a nearby
cemetery stated that he saw a boy being chased by a police jeep with a police
officer standing out of the top window of the vehicle. The witness then lost
sight of the vehicle and heard shots being fired. The deceased was taken to
Sitra hospital but was refused treatment and subsequently died.
1071. The MoI stated that there were no police in the area at the time of the
shooting and therefore that the MoI was treating the shooting as a criminal
542 No statements provided to the Commission. Commission investigators visited SMC and
were present during the forensic examination.
543 Seven statements provided to the Commission.
544 Commission investigators and forensic experts were present during the autopsy and
compiled an independent report. On file with the Commission.
255