Iraqis flock to Basra governor building after protester killed

Hundreds of Iraqis gathered outside a council office in Basra on Tuesday, after a protester was killed by security forces in the southern city on Monday night.

Yasser Makki died in hospital, while six others were injured, when clashes broke out between protesters and security forces at a demonstration against corruption and poor government services.

On Tuesday, hundreds walked past the site he was injured carrying his body.

"Yasser's blood will not be lost," the mourners chanted, according to Reuters.

Brief clashes broke out when protesters damaged the gates to the provincial's government headquarters, with promises of further demonstrations on Tuesday night.

Mahdi al-Tamimi, local head of Iraq's Human Rights Commission, has called for those responsible for Makki's death to be held accountable.

"We call on the Iraqi judiciary to open an immediate and urgent investigation into the killing of a demonstrator who was shot in the shoulder and subjected to electric shocks by security forces," he said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Makki was fatally injured when local security forces fired tear gas and shots into the air at a demonstration on Monday night, with protesters throwing stones and petrol bombs.

The oil-rich southern city has been plagued by power cuts and poor government services, leading to demonstrations over the past year.

Iraq's government have tried to appease the angry protesters by introducing a number of measures, including sacking the electricity minister.