MANAMA — Anti-government demonstrators clashed with police who fired tear gas and birdshot in Bahrain on Thursday, April 3, following a funeral procession in a village south of the capital Manama, witnesses said.

The violence in the village of al-Eker outside the capital Manama came ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix, an annual event that draws international attention to Bahrain.

The 2011 turmoil forced the cancellation of the race, but the event went ahead in 2012 and 2013, despite continuing unrest. This year’s race is due to take place from April 4-6.

Witnesses said that more than 100 young men, some throwing petrol bombs, clashed with the police after the funeral of Hussein Sharaf, a Bahraini who died on Tuesday in a fire at his home. Sharaf was in hiding having earlier been sentenced to life in prison in absentia.