MANAMA, Jan 30: Anti-government protesters clashed with Bahraini riot police on Monday after the funeral of a teenager who died last week in police custody, part of worsening violence in the run-up to the anniversary of a failed pro-democracy uprising.

Many residents of Sitra were doused in tear gas as police faced off against youths who blocked roads, set tyres alight and threw petrol bombs.

The clashes followed the funeral of Mohammed Ibrahim Yacoub, a 19-year-old who police said died last week from complications resulting from sickle cell disease.

Protesters say he was beaten up by riot police who stamped on him and beat him with batons after his arrest. They said his body showed bruising, abrasions and a cut.

Bahrain has been in turmoil since protesters inspired by revolts in Tunisia and Egypt took to the streets last year to demand democratic reforms in an island state dominated by the ruling Al Khalifa family.

The monarchy imposed martial law and invited Saudi and United Arab Emirates troops to crush the uprising in March. Persistent clashes have become more violent in recent weeks, ahead of the Feb 14 anniversary of the first protests.

A commission of international rights lawyers charged by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa with investigating the protests and crackdown said 35 people died up to the end of martial law in June.

The opposition say that figure has risen to over 60 with a spate of deaths related to the violence since December.—Reuters