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Jordan Islamists call for mass rally in wake of 45 arrests

Arab World Materials 26 November 2012 17:33 (UTC +04:00)
Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood called Monday for a mass rally in response to a recent security crackdown by the Amman government that has resulted in the arrest of 45 of its members, dpa reported.
Jordan Islamists call for mass rally in wake of 45 arrests

Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood called Monday for a mass rally in response to a recent security crackdown by the Amman government that has resulted in the arrest of 45 of its members, dpa reported.

Jordanian security services have imposed a security clampdown since November 13, when the government decided to slash fuel subsidies - sparking immediate demonstrations which quickly escalated into calls for a change of government.

Muslim Brotherhood officials urged citizens to take to the streets in the capital on Friday in protest at the arrest of a total of some 200 protestors and activists - including one of the leaders of the Islamist movement's political arm, the Islamic Action Front.

"We want all citizens to send a clear message to the regime that we will not give up our peaceful pursuit of democratic reforms in the face of unjust and dangerous security policies," said Ali Abu Sukkar, president of the Islamic Action Front's governing shurah council.

The Islamists' call comes one day after Amman referred Emad Abu Hattab, IAF Shurah council member, along with two other Islamists to a military court for their alleged involvement in the nationwide fuel price protests earlier this month.

Authorities charged the three men with "undermining the governing regime and inciting dissent" for allegedly organising demos during which participants called for "regime change" - slogans which are illegal under Jordanian law.

Nationwide riots broke out less than an hour after the November 13 decision, leading to widespread destruction of government property and the injury of over 70 citizens in their first 72 hours.

The protests saw several groups calling for "regime change," a dramatic escalation for a 22-month protest movement that has long restricted its demands to "regime reform" and the peaceful transfer of the king's power to appoint governments to the parliament.

The Brotherhood, Jordan's largest political movement, along with other opposition groups have distanced themselves form the slogans, reiterating their calls for regime reform.

Despite being largely absent from the streets during the fuel price riots, the Jordanian government has accused the Brotherhood of inciting demonstrations for their own political gains.

Islamists have rejected the accusation, pointing out that its offices were targeted by rioters across the kingdom along with government property.

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