Manama: At least 40 Bahraini prisoners were hurt on Friday when security forces used batons, tear gas, pepper spray and stun grenades against inmates protesting over their conditions, an activist said.

The Interior Ministry said security forces had restored order after a number of detainees rioted.

“They tried to break the doors, the police interfered and restored order,” a tweet by the ministry said.

Syed Al Muhafada of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights said he had received a call from inside the prison telling him that around 100 prisoners, most held for terrorism offences, were protesting over being deprived of family visits and other grievances.