Thousands join Iraq protests

DailyStar.com
January 04, 2013 04:13 PM - AFP

Iraqis rally in the city of Samarra, on January 2, 2013, as protesters in mostly Sunni areas of Iraq's west and north have alleged that the Shiite-led authorities use anti-terror legislation to target their minority community. AFP PHOTO/MAHMOUD AL-SAMARRAI

BAGHDAD: Thousands of Sunni Muslims demonstrated in Baghdad on Friday, in the latest of nearly two weeks of rallies criticising Iraq's premier and demanding the release of prisoners they say are wrongfully held.

Demonstrators gathered at the Abu Hanifa mosque in the mostly-Sunni neighbourhood of Adhamiyah, but were barred by security forces from leaving the compound to rally on the street, an AFP correspondent said.

The protesters held up banners calling for a mass prisoner release, stronger human rights provisions in Iraq's prisons, and a repeal of current anti-terror legislation.

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