Associated Press

MANAMA: Bahrain authorities say a detainee has died after being taken into custody during clashes between security forces and Shiite-led protesters.

Thursday's statement by the Interior Ministry says public prosecutors are investigating the death. About 40 people have died in nearly a year of nonstop unrest between Bahrain's Sunni monarchy and the island kingdom's majority Shiites seeking a greater voice in government and security affairs.

The brief statement gave no further details on the death, but said the detainee was hospitalized and accused of "vandalism" during widespread demonstrations on Wednesday.