Protests in Rabat against political detentions

RABAT (AFP) - About 500 demonstrators marched in the Moroccan capital on Sunday at the call of a pro-reform group to protest against corruption and political detentions, an AFP correspondent said.

The marchers, mostly youths, chanted slogans urging the authorities to release from prison members of the so-called "February 20 movement", under the watchful eyes of police.

There were no reports of unrest and the march ended peacefully.

The February 20 movement, which emerged as part of the Arab Spring, is made up of workers and students and wants a parliamentary monarchy similar to Spain's, and an end to corruption in the country.

But it lost much of its support in December when the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which won most parliamentary seats in November elections, broke with it.

The movement was also criticised for calling to boycott the vote.

It regularly calls for rallies in Rabat and in Casablanca.

On September 12, five activists were sentenced to jail terms ranging from eight to 10 years by a Casablanca court for "participating in an unauthorised protest" and alleged violence against members of the police force.

According to the Moroccan Association of Human Rights around 70 youths linked to the movement are currently behind bars.