Masked youths with petrol bombs faced off nightly against riot police in armoured vehicles, armed with batons, tear gas, sound bombs and guns firing birdshot. At least one protester was found dead on a rooftop after a clash.
Demonstrators denounced the Grand Prix as a lavish stunt by a government that crushed Arab Spring protests last year and remains out of touch with popular demand for change.
– Force India’s another disappearing act in Bahrain
The government accused activists of exaggerating the unrest and sabotaging the country’s image.
"In terms of the public relations battle it’s been a loss for government. But no one won overall – I think it has added to the existing divisions," said Jane Kinninmont, an analyst at London’s Chatham House think tank.
"The opposition are more angry about deaths and beatings, while the pro-government camp is upset that the protesters hold up economic development and shocked at the media coverage."
