Bahrain executes three Shia men over 2014 police killing

Bahrain has executed three Shia men who were convicted of killing three police officers in a bomb attack in March 2014, the authorities say.

They were killed by a firing squad on Sunday, state news agency BNA reports.

Hundreds took to the streets to protest on Saturday when reports emerged online of their impending execution.

It is the first execution to be carried out in Bahrain since a 2011 uprising, led by the country's Shia majority, calling for greater political rights.

The Sunni-ruled kingdom has escalated a crackdown on its Shia critics over the past year, including revoking the citizenship of the country's most prominent Shia Muslim cleric.

What lies behind Bahrain's crackdown?

Abbas al-Samea, Sami Mushaima and Ali al-Singace were convicted of a bomb attack that killed three policemen, including one officer from the United Arab Emirates, nearly three years ago.

They were executed a week after their death sentences were upheld by a high court.

Activists have condemned the executions, which are the first to be carried out in Bahrain in more than six years, according to the UK-based human rights group, Reprieve.

"This is a black day in Bahrain's history. It is the most heinous crime committed by the government of Bahrain and a shame upon its rulers... This act is a security threat to Bahrain and the entire region," Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy told Reuters news agency.

Protests erupted on Saturday after rumours of the executions surfaced, with demonstrators chanting: "No, no to execution."

A police officer was wounded when his patrol came under fire in the Shia village of Bani Jamra, to the west of the capital Manama, the interior ministry said.