Authorities in Jordan detain 103 Salafists after clashes

Apr 17, 2011, 19:01 GMT

Amman - Authorities in Jordan have arrested 103 Islamist extremists since clashes at a rally Friday in which 83 policemen were injured, Interior Minister Saad Srour said Sunday.

The detainees would appear in court, he told a press conference.

Srour, who is also deputy premier, accused the Salafist groups staged a rally in the eastern city of Zarqa of a 'premeditated attack' on security forces.

'Jordan will not permit anybody to exploit the current atmosphere of democracy and freedom to undermine the country's security,' he said.

Friday's rally in the city some 30 kilometres east of the capital Amman had called for the release of some 200 Salafists being held by authorities in connection with alleged terrorist activities.

Demonstrators brandishing sticks and knives clashed with security forces afterwards.

Earlier Sunday, a lawyer representing Salafist groups, said authorities had arrested about 70 members.

Musa Abdullat said he did not know where they were being held and was not given permission to visit the detainees., according to media reports.

The main opposition party, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), on Sunday warned the government against resorting to 'tough security' measures in dealing with demonstrations.

'We warn against the so-called tough security policy because it has proved futile in neighbouring countries and failed to ensure security and peace,' the IAF said in a statement.

Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Saturday threatened to come down hard on the demonstrators.

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