Jordan Islamist Youths Protest Activists Detention

Nearly 200 Jordanians demonstrated in Amman on Sunday to demand the release of 19 jailed political activists charged with insulting King Abdullah II.

The protesters, mostly Islamist youths, demonstrated outside the prime minister's office, urging the king to free the young activists.

"The free people should not be jailed. We demand a decision to release them. We scarifies our blood for Jordan," the chanted.

Jordanians on Friday held similar demonstrations across the kingdom.

Military prosecutors have accused 13 activists of insulting the king and rioting following a demonstration in Amman last week.

They were protesting the detention of six activists jailed last month on the same charges.

International human rights organizations as well as opposition Islamists and other groups have demanded the government release all of the detainees, who face up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

Jordanians have been protesting since January last year calling for sweeping political and economic reforms and an end to corruption.