MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Witnesses say security forces in Bahrain are setting up checkpoints and bringing armored vehicles into anti-government strongholds to confront possible protests coinciding with the Gulf nation’s Formula One Grand Prix.
The beefed-up security moved into place shortly before the start of Sunday’s race. Tensions rose the day before because of the discovery of a body of a man who the opposition claims was killed by security forces.
Last year’s race was cancelled because of the uprising by the kingdom’s Shiite majority, which is seeking to break the ruling Sunni dynasty’s hold on power.
Opposition groups have sharply criticized the return of the race to Bahrain.
At least 50 people have been killed since the unrest began in February 2011.
