Violence has erupted in the run-up to the Grand Prix, an important event cancelled in Bahrain last year due to political unrest.

State officials count on the running of this year’s race to signal to the world a return to normalcy in the Gulf Arab state, a stance rejected by opposition protesters, Reuters reports.

The opposition part Wefaq identified the dead demonstrator on Saturday as Salah Abbas Habib, 36, It said Habib was part of the portesters which clashed with riot police, when dozens took to the streets late on Friday night.

Witnesses told AFP news agency that security forces fired tear gas and sound bombs to break up dozens of people who gathered at the area where Habib’s body was found.

Barain has tightened security along the road to the Bahrain International Circuit and around the capital, Manama.

Wefaq official Sayed Hadi al-Mousawi said the cause of death wasn’t clear. “We haven’t got the body because the official investigators have surrounded the area but we understand he was beaten severely. His colleagues with him last night were beaten with batons and the butts of rifles used to shoot tear gas and bird shot.”

Meanwhile, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has demanded urgent and immediate investigation into the death of Mr.Salah Abbas.

Wefaq along with other opposition parties want a change to parliamentary democracy, reducing the powers of the ruling Al Khalifa family, although some protesters are against the monarchy altogether.

The government has accused the protesters of having a Shi’ite sectarian agenda back by Iran, which they refute, reuters reports.