RABAT and CASABLANCA (Reuters) - Moroccan police beat demonstrators who defied a ban on demonstrations across the country Sunday, leading to arrests and dozens of wounded, some of them fatal, said witnesses.
Violence seems to indicate a line of more severe Government against the protest movement, which became more defiant after the festive events from February, but has yet to attract public support in mass.
Some protesters are becoming more openly on criticizing King Mohammed but the demonstrations have failed match the scale of those in several other Arab countries.
Much of the anger was the Makhzen, Royal Court of the Morocco. "" Protest is a legal, why fear the Makhzen? "".evict punctuated Casablanca. "Makhzen out." "Low despotism."
A Reuters correspondent saw riot police seven attacking a bearded man in his thirties, on several occasions to knock the head and body, causing serious haemorrhaging.
"We have been called here to preserve the order because of the unauthorized protest," said a police officer on the scene who refused to give her name.
In Fez, three influential members of the movement of protest in the city were "very critical condition", said demonstrator Fathallah al-Hamdani. Casualties were also reported in Tangier and elsewhere.
No one was available at the Ministry of the Interior to comment on reports of demonstrators.
Demonstrators wanted camping across the Parliament in Rabat, but the authorities have been anxious to avoid a repetition of the events in Cairo earlier this year when demonstrators occupy Tahrir square finally helped to overthrow the Government.
In major cities, police armed with batons and shields moved people on the streets around where they met. Demonstrators broke into small groups, often with the police chasing behind.
A leader of protest in Rabat which had already been beaten a week ago has suffered a serious concussion Sunday, said protester Jalal Makhfi.
Some human rights activists were beaten from the Prefecture of police, where they had tried to win the release of 13 members of the AMDH of the human rights group, said Khadija Riyadi, another Member of the group.
Protesters said police beat dozens in Casablanca.
"We are standing together for the dignity," said a protest leaflet. "We are against despotism, corruption." We are for the dignity, freedom, democracy and social justice.
PROTESTS GATHERING STRENGTH
Long considered a stable and relatively moderate State, Morocco has seen growing unrest this year inspired by uprisings successful in Tunisia and Egypt.
In recent months seeking more democratic rights and economic benefits demonstrators have held several demonstrations across the country in the country of 32 million, making at least six dead.
Last Friday, a group of unemployed graduates worked their way through a crowd of nearly the King after leading Friday prayers and chanted "Your Majesty, we want jobs." Television State cut a broadcast live as slogans began.
The outbreak was considered a daring violation of the Protocol in a country where portrait orne King's many shops and public spaces and many treat him with reverence. The King is also the Commander of the faithful, the leader of the Moroccan Muslims who are descended from the Prophet Mohammed.
The Royal family ruled the Morocco since the 17th century and has survived the French colonial rule and independence.
The Morocco has the lowest GDP per capita in the region of the Maghreb which includes also the Algeria, the Tunisia and the Libya. Many live in poverty and nearly half of the population is illiterate.
In response to public demonstrations, the King announced in March that it would amend the constitution to allow more democratic rights. A commission is due to announce a draft constitution next month.
(Edited by David Stamp)
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